Karnataka government said it will put on hold all promotions until there is clarity from Supreme Court

President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bill last month, which the state government subsequently notified.

The Karnataka government today said it will put on hold all promotions until there is clarity from the Supreme Court, which is hearing a case related to consequential reservation in promotions. The case is scheduled to come up for hearing in the Apex Court on July 27.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna ByreGowda stated this while replying to an issue raised by BJP MLAP Rajeev over delay in implementing the 'Karnataka Extension of Consequential Seniority to Government Servants Promoted on the Basis of Reservation (to the post in the civilservices of the state) Act, 2017.'

President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bill last month, which the state government subsequently notified. Raising the issue in the assembly, Rajeev sought to know from the government the reasons for the delay in implementation.

"Despite being passed by both houses andthe President signing it, the government is not implementing it.Why is the government delayingit when there is no stay on this?" he asked.

Gowda said the government hasno second thoughts on implementing the act and there was noquestion of going back. Stating that there was no stay on implementing the act, he said theAdvocate General has opined that the government should actbased on the outcome of the case.

Intervening, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Govind Karjolpointed out there were many cases where promotions had beengiven ahead of schedule through DPCs (Departmental PromotionCommittees).

"What will you do for it? What will happen toSC/STs with these promotions now?" To this, Social Welfare Minister PriyankKharge said the act willsupersede everything.

The assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar advised the government to take July 27 as the deadline and if nothing comes out by then, implement the act.

Gowda again clarified that promotions would not be made till the outcome of the Apex Court proceedings. Karnataka Extension of Consequential Seniority to Government Servants Promoted on the Basis of Reservation (to the post in the civil services of the state) Act, 2017 circumvents the Supreme Court order that struck down reservations for SC/ST persons in promotions and ensures that reservation remains intact.

Karnataka had been providing reservation in promotions to SC/ST communities since 1978.

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