Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 31: The state government at last gave its assent to implement the law it had passed earlier to protect the interests of scheduled castes and tribes government employees who were affected by the Supreme Court order that had nullified reservation-based promotions. However, there is no clarity on how the government plans to serve the interests of employees belonging to other backward classes and general category, who were given promotions as per the Supreme Court formula.

This important decision was taken at the cabinet meeting presided over by the chief minister on Wednesday at Vidhana Soudha. The government was also buoyed by the clarification given by the advocate of the government in the Supreme Court about the legality of the act.

Rural development and panchayat raj minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, announced the decision of the government at a press conference. Although the decision was taken after protracted debates and consideration, the question of protecting interests of government employees belonging to non-reservation category has remained unresolved, sources say.

The minster said that the advocate had clarified that implementation of the act does not amount to contempt of court. "We are trying to find ways and means to protect interests of other categories of employees. This decision is subject to the final verdict of the Supreme Court," he clarified. When some media persons pointed out that the government had acted against the request of the general category employees not to implement it, he said that this decision does not mean to appease someone and oppose others. He added that the cabinet wants to implement the act in way that does not harm any category of government employees.

The minister said that the hearing about the act is likely to be heard by the Supreme court from February 5 onward. In the past, the Supreme Court had orally asked the state to maintain status quo. He said that the advocate has already clarified the stand of the state to the Supreme Court on the implementation of the law which was approved by the President.