REPRESENTATION OF SCIST/OBC,& P.H. IN THE DEPARTMENT

9.1 Vigorous efforts have been made to implement the Government orders regarding recruitment and promotion of candidates belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, other backward classes and the physically handicapped. The representation of these classes in the Department (Secretariat) as on 31.3.1996 is as under :

REPRESENTATION OF SC/ST & OBC IN PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS

9.2.1 The Presidential directives on reservation for the candidates belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes issued from time to time by the Department of Public Enterprises are being implemented in all the public sector undertakings under the administrative control of the Department. Instructions were issued to the 9 public sector units and 2 cooperative societies under the control of Department of Fertilizers for launching a special drive for filling up the backlog vacancies for SC/ST. The progress of the drive is periodically reviewed at the highest level.

9.2.2 The Presidential directive regarding reservation for other backward classes in appointments in Public Enterprises has been made applicable w.e.f. 8.9.1993. The implementation of the directive is being monitored through Quarterly Review Meetings.

9.2.3 As a result of the special drive undertaken by the Government, it has been possible to fill up 82 vacancies by SC & ST candidates and 283 vacancies by OBC candidates in the PSUs during the period under review. Efforts to fill up the remaining back log are continuing.

9.2.4 The public sector undertakings under the Department have also been advised to draw up programmes for fertilizer education of tribals in the scientific use of fertilizers, building up of dealer/retailer network in the tribal areas, and making available fertilizers in small packs in the tribal areas.

EMPLOYMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN/PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS

9.3.1 Guidelines have been issued to the public sector undertakings under the administrative control of the Department for reservation of vacancies for ex-servicemen and physically handicapped persons. They have also been advised to identify Group 'C' and 'D' posts in their organisations which can be manned by the physically handicapped persons.

 9.3.2 The representation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, ex-servicemen and physically handicapped persons in the public sector undertakings as on 31.3.1996 is given in Annexure-Xl.

WELFARE OF MINORITIES

9.4.1 The public sector undertakings under the Department have been advised to provide pre-examination coaching to the minority community candidates, wherever feasible, and to take steps to increase their awareness of the available employment opportunities. They have also been advised to include a representative of the minorities in the recruitment/selection boards to ensure that the minorities get an adequate share in the services.

RESERVATION IN FERTILIZER DEALERSHIPS

9.5.1 In 1978, instructions were issued by the Department to all the public sector undertakings under its administrative control to reserve at least 25 per cent of future dealerships of fertilizers for the members of SC/ST. To ensure availability of a sufficient number of suitable SC/ST candidates, the following concessions are generally given by the undertakings :

a) exemption/relaxation for security deposits;

b) preference in supply of moving materials;

c) higher rate of dealership margin as compared to that allowed to general dealers; and

d)    free training in handling of fertilizers.

9.5.2 The public sector fertilizer undertakings have also been advised to expand their existing network of dealership by 15 per cent to give a thrust to the programme of providing employment to the educated unemployed persons. They have further been advised to reserve 10 per cent of fertilizer dealerships for ex-servicemen.