Treat Saini community petitioners as OBC: CAT

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the authorities concerned to proceed with the selection of Saini community petitioners who appeared in trained graduate teachers (TGTs) examination treating her as OBC.

“...proceed with the selection of the petitioners from the stage at which it was given treating them as OBC category entitled to avail the benefit of reservation, and issue orders of appointment within two months from the date of this order, if they are otherwise fit and eligible,” said the CAT order.

The tribunal said “...the UT, Chandigarh, has committed illegality by giving a new interpretation in the communication...On this ground as well, the communication sent by the Social Welfare Department is liable to be quashed.”

In her original application to the CAT, Nawanshahr resident Kamaljit Kaur (29), a TGT candidate, assailed the discrepancy list dated June 17, 2015, issued by a committee under which her category has been changed from OBC to general on the ground that Saini caste was notified in the UT list after the last date of submission of application forms. She sought issuance of direction from the tribunal to consider her candidature under the OBC category by granting her the benefit of notifications issued by the Centre, and then, appoint her to the post of TGT Science (Medical).

Her counsel apprised the tribunal about two judgments wherein it was settled that the candidates who submitted their OBC certificate after cut-off date are also entitled for the benefit of the OBC category.