Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Disproportionate Representation From Certain States In Recruitment ... on 12 May, 2000
Title: Regarding disproportionate representation from certain States in recruitment of constables for Central Para Military Force.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY (NARASARAOPET): Sir, I call the attention of the Minister of Home Affairs to the following matter of urgent public importance and request that he may make a statement thereon:
"Situation arising out of disproportionate representation from certain States in recruitment of constables for the Central Para Military Forces and steps taken by the Government in regard thereto. "
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): Sir, recruitment to the post of constable in Central Para Military Forces is made from the States and Union Territories and the total vacancies in each Central Para Military Force in a year are allotted to various States/Union Territories as per the following parameters:-
90 per cent of the vacancies in BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles and 100 per cent vacancies in CRPF/CISF are allotted among the States/UTs of the Union on the basis of population ratio of the respective State/UT.
10 per cent of the vacancies in BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles are allotted to the border States where the concerned Central Para Military Force is deployed in addition to their quota under (i) above.
In case sufficient number of candidates do not come forward for enlistment in a particular State/UT, these vacancies are diverted with the specific approval of the Director General to the other States/UTs.
A statement showing the Statewise representation as on 31.3.2000 in CPMFs is being laid on the Table of the House.
Whenever recruitment to a particular force is scheduled in a State/UT, the same is given wide publicity through leading local dailies/Newspapers.
The minimum educational qualification for recruitment as Constable in CPMFs is 10th pass and certain physical standards have also been prescribed.
It may be seen from the statement annexed that the shortfall in ratio of a particular State/UT varies from force to force. The shortfall in the representation of some of the States/UTs is due to non-availability of eligible and suitable candidates and in some areas due to lack of response. Whenever there is a shortfall from a particular State/UT, efforts are made to make up the shortfall by allotting more vacancies to such States/UTs in future recruitments.
States/UTs which are not adequately represented will be given additional vacancies in future recruitment drives.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : The statement which the Home Minister has tabled has only certain points. He has not mentioned other points.
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN (TIRUNELVELI): Sir, I have one supplementary to put which is very important.
MR. SPEAKER: No. There is only one name here. There is no other name except Shri Janardhan Reddy.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : All the recruits are required to have a fair working knowledge in English and Hindi. The written test for recruitment of constables in the CPM is being held both in Hindi and English. This is why, you are not able to fulfil the quota allotted to the States. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Pandiyan, please take your seat. You cannot speak because there is only one name mentioned in the notice. There is no other name here. There is a certain procedure to be followed in Calling Attention Motion.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : The recruitee who is qualified at 10th pass cannot write English or Hindi, particularly people coming from non-Hindi speaking States. So, the handicap is there. That is why, the Standing Committee recently passed a resolution which the Home Minister knows pretty well. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the candidates appearing in examination for recruitment of constables in Central Para Military Forces should be given option to take examination in any languages as mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. At the same time, they should acquire working knowledge within the probationary period. There is a letter from the Service Commission also. The candidates who are appearing in the Civil Services Examination at the all-India level have been allowed to write all papers of examination not only in Hindi or English but in other regional languages also. When they are allowed to write like that, a constable who has studied only upto 10th class cannot be insisted upon to write only in Hindi or English. That is why, States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and all the non-Hindi speaking States have less recruitment.
The Central Industrial Security Forces have given a presentation in which the total number of constables is 69,000. Out of this, Tamil Nadu has got 473 and Andhra Pradesh has got 372.
SHRI S. BANGARAPPA (SHIMOGA): What about Karnataka?
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : Karnataka also has the same position. So, you yourself have mentioned in your statement that you are going to rectify this imbalance. I request you to look into the matter, give orders to recruit them through examination conducted in local languages and give proper weightage to those Sates which is less balanced than other States. I would request the Minister to give specific directions in this regard.
SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Sir, I have not participated.
MR. SPEAKER: I cannot deviate from rules. If you want, you can give a separate notice.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN : There is only one selection centre in Tamil Nadu. There should be more than one selection centre so that young boys could come and join. … (Interruptions)
SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU : I associate with what Shri Janardhan Reddy has said.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: The desire of the Members of Parliament in so far as Armed Forces or Central Para Military Forces are concerned is, that there should be proper representation from all the States. This is a very legitimate and justified desire. In fact, in so far as the Armed Forces are concerned, there are complaints from certain sections in which, at one time, the representation used to be enormous. But, subsequently, after a conscious effort was made by the Government to bring in all the States, those States had their own representation reduced. They keep on saying, "Why cannot the Armed Forces be purely on merit, on the basis of eligibility? Why are you trying them to have from all parts? " But I think the Government took a right step in trying to ensure that all States are represented in these matters.
The same approach applies to our Central Paramilitary Forces also. This matter has been raised in the Standing Committee on Home Affairs and discussed fully. It is after that that this particular recommendation has been made in respect of language. It needs to be assessed as to whether this is a factor which does contribute because I find that insofar as Kerala is concerned, the representation is far more than the percentage.… (Interruptions) Let me complete it. So far as States like Maharashtra and Gujarat are concerned, the representation is far below. It is much below. It is much less than that of Kerala. It is much less than that of West Bengal and others. So, the issue how far this particular factor is responsible or other factors which I have already mentioned are responsible is a matter of assessment. But so far as I am concerned, the Standing Committee has made a formal recommendation. It has said:
"The Committee, therefore, recommends that candidates appearing in examination for recruitment of constables in CPMFs should be given an option to take examination in any of the 18 languages as mentioned in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. At the same time, there should also be a provision to ensure that the recruits acquire the working knowledge of Hindi during their probation."
So, I would like to assure the House that the Home Ministry is taking cognizance of this recommendation. We are examining it in consultation with the Department of Personnel and Training because it is essentially their job to decide as to what schemes should apply. But our efforts are to see that recruitment is done in all the States and where representation is low, next time, next year the quota is increased. This would be a consistent approach. I could see the reason why this particular Calling Attention has arisen. It would be my endeavour to see that there is no part of the country which gets less representation in the Paramilitary Forces only because they have the handicap of language. This would be my earnest endeavour.… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN : What about the Selection Centre? There is only one Selection Centre in the State of Tamil Nadu.… (Interruptions)
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY (MIRYALGUDA): Sir, about the Calling Attention, Shri Janardhana Reddy has to seek some more clarifications.… (Interruptions)
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : This matter was discussed in the Standing Committee. After examining why it is happening, the Committee gave its recommendation. In Kerala, 80 per cent of the candidates are graduates. In Andhra Pradesh also, a majority of them are graduates who are able to get appointment. So, as you are having examinations for the All-India Services in the regional languages, kindly consider this request also. You have also assured us. I request you to do this. Please make a commitment.… (Interruptions)
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: We are examining it.
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MR. SPEAKER: Before we take up the ‘Zero Hour’, there are two privilege notices to be disposed of.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI KIRIT SOMAIYA (MUMBAI NORTH EAST): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have raised a privilege motion. You have to give a ruling. I made a speech on 29th November. … (Interruptions) मैंने २९ नवम्बर को एक भाषण किया था। एनबी प्लांटेशन्स कम्पनी के मालिक ने जिस प्रकार का वक्तव्य दिया, प्रेस कान्फ्रेस की और हाउस की प्रोसिडिंग्स के ऊपर जिस प्रकार के रिमार्क दिए, मैंने उसके सम्बन्ध में अपने भाषण में उल्लेख किया। आप उसके ऊपर रूलिंग दें।
12.29 hrs.