Rajasthan HC warns Govt on zero cut-off for reserved categories
The Rajasthan High Court recently asked the State Government to explain why it had fixed cut-off marks as low as zero for recruiting Class IV Government employees under reserved categories. Terming the situation as shocking, Justice Anand Sharma said the matter requires serious consideration as it raises concerns about maintaining basic standards in public employment.
“The State, as the appointing authority, is expected to ensure minimum standards in recruitment even for the reserved category, so that selected candidates are capable of performing basic duties satisfactorily, may be of a Class-IV employee. A person who secures near-zero or negative marks cannot reasonably be considered suitable,” the Court said.
The HC passed the order on a writ petition stating that in a recent recruitment process for Class-IV Employees in a Government department, the cut-off marks for some reserved categories were as low as 0.0033. Interestingly, the petitioner’s grievance was that his candidature was rejected only because he secured negative marks (below zero), even though no minimum qualifying marks were prescribed.
Calling the situation unacceptable, the Court observed that either the examination was unnecessarily difficult for such entry-level posts or that proper standards were not maintained. The HC also noted that no explanation has been given for not fixing the minimum qualifying marks. The HC directed the State counsel to file an affidavit of the Principal Secretary of the concerned Department explaining this serious lapse and the reasons behind fixing such cut-off marks, and the steps proposed to improve “such objectionable situation.”
“If no satisfactory explanation is given, the Court may take it seriously and pass strict orders while drawing adverse inferences,” the Bench warned. The matter will be heard next on March 9.
