HC flags ex-servicemen quota lapses, issues notices to RPSC and other officials

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has flagged alleged irregularities in the implementation of reservation for ex-servicemen in a state recruitment process and ordered that all appointments will remain subject to the final outcome of the case.Hearing an appeal filed by one Jitendra Singh Shekhawat from Jhunjhunu, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Shubha Mehta Monday issued notices to Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) chairman and secretary, and to secretaries of technical education and skill, planning and entrepreneurship departments. The court has granted four weeks' time to the respondents to file their replies in the matter. The case is related to recruitment for 63 posts of Group Instructor, Surveyor and Assistant Apprenticeship Advisor (Grade-II). As per the Rajasthan Civil Services (Absorption of Ex-Servicemen) Rules, 1988, a 12.5% horizontal reservation is mandated for ex-servicemen, translating to around eight posts.The appellant alleged that only five posts were earmarked for ex-servicemen. He further contended that no reservation was provided for them under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), effectively excluding eligible candidates. Counsel for the appellant, Ravindra Singh Saini, argued that the discrepancy was flagged before the Oct 22, 2024 examination but was not addressed. "Earlier a single bench of the Rajasthan high court had dismissed the petitioner saying petitioner had participated in the selection process. Thus, we came in the appeal against the single bench order."Taking note of the submissions, the court directed that any appointments made will be subject to its final verdict. The matter will be heard again after four weeks.