Local Born Association and Andaman MOPLAH Service Organization Demand 38% OBC Reservation in Teacher Appointments

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, March 15: The Local Born Association and Andaman MOPLAH Service Organization, Port Blair, have jointly appealed to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to provide a 38% OBC reservation quota in the appointment of teachers on short-term contract basis in the education department. In a press conference held on March 15, 2023, at Hotel DelicciaJunglighat, the organizations highlighted various government recruitment related issues.
The conference was chaired by Abdul Rahman Advisory AMSO Member, N Yousuf President AMSO, Rakesh Pal Govind President Local Born Association, Abdul Siddique General Secretary AMSO, Deepak K Johnson Representative Bhathu Community, and Edmond Representative ST Community.
During the conference, Mr. Abdul Rahman brought to attention the vacancy notice published by the education department, wherein 539 posts of graduate trained teachers and primary teachers are proposed to be filled on a short-term contract basis from 01.07.2023 to 30.04.2024. However, the notification was silent on the mandatory reservation made for candidates belonging to OBCs in these islands, as per the Andaman and Nicobar Gazette Notification No. 343/2005 F. No.8-3/2003-TW dated 16 Dec, 2005.
To address this issue, the Local Born Association and Andaman MOPLAH Service Organization, Port Blair, separately submitted a representation letter to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, drawing attention towards the prescribed quota of 38% admissible to candidates belonging to OBCs.
The organizations also highlighted various government orders related to the reservation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes in temporary appointments, which are to last for 45 days or more. Despite these orders, the vacancy notifications were silent on the mandatory reservations made for candidates belonging to OBCs in the islands.
In this regard, the organizations humbly requested the administration to ensure that the prescribed quota of 38% admissible to candidates belonging to OBCs of these islands is set apart for their engagement as short-term contract teachers (GTTs & PSTs). The organizations urged the administration to uphold the spirit of the Gazette Notification published by the AN Administration vide No 343/2005 F.No.8-3/2003-TW dated 16″ Dec, 2005.
Furthermore, the organizations requested the administration to review the process initiated to invite online applications for the said 539 posts, so that the best interest of the islands’ candidates is protected by dissuading the entry of non-Islander candidates into the vacant posts. They also requested that all government departments, public sector undertakings, private educational and other entities availing of Grant-in-Aid/financial assistance and government colleges/educational institutions follow the above-stated instructions while considering appointments to various vacant posts, including short-term vacancies lasting beyond 45 days.
The Local Born Association and Andaman MOPLAH Service Organization, Port Blair, are hopeful that the administration will take necessary actions to ensure the prescribed quota is followed, thereby promoting inclusivity and diversity in the recruitment process.