Thiruma seeks spl drive to fill SC/ST vacancies in TN

By SHANMUGHASUNDARAM J

CHENNAI: VCK leader Thol Thirumavalam expressed shock over the backlog of vacancies pertaining to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in various government departments in the state and said they would urge the Tamil Nadu government to take a policy decision to conduct a special drive to fill the posts.

Reacting to DT Next report that over 10,000 posts reserved for the SC/ST remained unfilled for more than a decade across the government departments, Thirumavalavan took the issue to social media and sought the intervention of Chief Minister M K Stalin.

The report revealed that 8,173 posts were reserved for ST and 2,229 posts for SC. Of them, a total of 6,861 posts remained unfilled for more than a decade in the home, prohibition and excise department. A significant number of posts in health and education departments also remained unfilled.

“It is shocking news,” said the Chidambaram MP and added such a backlog is not only prevailing in TN. It is a widespread phenomenon in all states. The worst-affected are the STs as 70% of the posts reserved for them remain unfilled.

The party is likely to take up the issue in the assembly. If not, it will be taken to a higher level in the government.

“Since the party is in alliance with the ruling party, we will represent the issue to the government and ask them to conduct a special drive to clear the backlog. Though the government has programmes to improve the socio-economic status of SC/STs to ensure social justice, it should give priority to this issue. It should issue an order to fill the posts through a special drive at the earliest.”

More than 90% of Dalit population voted for the DMK in the elections, he said, adding, “So, there is a high expectation among them on this government. If the backlog vacancies remain unfilled, it will attract unwanted criticism and shake the confidence of Dalits in the DMK government.”