Railway board directs zones and PSUs to strictly enforce reservation policies for SCs, STs and OBCs

The Railway Board has instructed all 17 railway zones and its public sector undertakings (PSUs) to properly maintain reservation rosters for SCs, STs, and OBCs, ensuring effective implementation of reservation policies. 

In a written communication dated October 18, addressed to the general managers of all zones, heads of PSUs, and autonomous bodies, the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Satish Kumar, highlighted concerns raised during a Parliamentary Committee on Backward Classes meeting held on September 9. Members of the committee emphasized the need for the proper enforcement of reservation rules, particularly in the railways’ PSUs.

Kumar noted that similar concerns had been previously raised by the National Commission for Backward Classes during meetings and hearings. He reminded all zones of a May 3 directive emphasizing the implementation of reservation policies and the maintenance of rosters for both recruitment and promotions, in line with existing guidelines.

Additionally, Kumar referred to a February 26 letter sent to managing directors of all railway PSUs, reiterating the importance of adhering to reservation policies and maintaining rosters as per the Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T) guidelines.

To address the concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee and the National Commission, Kumar outlined seven key steps to ensure compliance. He stressed that roster registers should be maintained according to DOP&T/Railway Board guidelines and that posts reserved for SCs, STs, and OBCs should be filled by candidates from the respective categories, not by unreserved (UR) candidates. Candidates selected on merit, without benefiting from reservation, should not be counted against reserved points.

Kumar recommended that liaison officers for SC/ST and OBC categories regularly inspect reservation rosters, at least twice a month, and that their inspections be documented with their signatures. The number of inspections conducted should also be recorded in officers’ APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Reports) as an added attribute for self-assessment.

He further advised that detailed reports on these inspections should be submitted to the concerned officers for review and that special attention should be given to recruitment rosters, particularly regarding the assessment of fresh and backlog vacancies for SCs, STs, and OBCs.

Lastly, Kumar directed the concerned bodies to provide written confirmation that reservation policies for SCs, STs, and OBCs are being properly followed within their units.