5,700 reserved posts in MHA remain vacant

NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary panel has expressed serious concern over non-filling of more than 5,700 posts reserved for SCs and STs in the Union Home Ministry and dismissed the suggestion that these posts remained vacant due to non-availability of candidates.

The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes noted that 5,786 backlog posts are yet to be filled in various subordinate and 38 attached offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Out of these vacant posts, approximately 3,000 posts are to be filled up through direct recruitment and 2,500 by promotion.

The Committee "observes with serious concern" that inspite of efforts made by the Ministry and its subordinate and attached offices to fill up vacancies, 225 posts in Assam Rifles, 324 posts in BSF, 1,662 posts in CRPF, 308 posts in CISF, 370 posts in SSB, 175 posts in ITBP, 548 posts in Intelligence Bureau remained vacant.

"The Committee are not inclined to accept the reasons adduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. non-availability of ST candidates even in the extended zone of consideration in case of promotion quota posts, non-availability of suitable candidates in the market for direct recruitment and non-available of eligible/ suitable candidates in the respective states/ UTs etc.," it observed.