L-G nod to relaxation in educational qualification for jobs to ’84 riot victims

Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena on Friday approved relaxation in qualification for recruitment of victims of the 1984 riots to the post of multi-tasking staff (MTS), Raj Niwas officials said.

Humanitarian view

• The minimum educational qualification for the post of multi-tasking staff has been relaxed from Class X to Class VIII
• The decision, which was pending for decades due to procedural delays and red tape, will enable a larger pool of candidates to secure employment

The minimum educational qualification for the post of MTS has been relaxed from Class X to Class VIII, making a larger number of candidates eligible for job.

The decision, which was pending for decades due to procedural delays and red tape, will enable a larger pool of candidates to secure employment, they said.

“Saxena has also directed the department/s concerned to explore the possibility of providing employment to the children of the deceased or aged applicants on humanitarian grounds. This initiative is intended to alleviate the financial hardships faced by the affected families,” they said.

In his approval on the file, the L-G noted, “The 1984 Sikh riots were a blot on Indian democratic traditions. Terrible atrocities were committed upon a particular minority community, violating all standards of human rights. The riots had affected many families, taking lives of their single bread winners.”

He added, “Understanding the historical context of the issue and the government’s commitment to provide relief to those affected, I believe it is imperative to take a compassionate view for wellbeing of these families and their economic stability.”

Saxena said given the significant trauma and hardships endured by the victims of the 1984 riots and the absence of relief for a few families for over the last four decades, a humanitarian view was needed.

The government had previously nominated 564 individuals for compassionate appointments, with 133 securing positions in the 1990s. While age relaxation was granted in subsequent years, qualification relaxation remained a hurdle for many, the officials added.

Various groups, public representatives, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and a delegation of the victims had met the L-G and appealed to consider all eligible applicants, including those who may have aged out or passed away, they said.

The Revenue Dept, in its proposal, had suggested relaxing educational qualifications and allowing family members of original applicants to apply for the MTS posts. However, the Delhi Chief Secy recommended focusing solely on the qualification relaxation. However, the L-G sent back the proposal for review by the Services Dept, another official added.

The Services Dept put up the file on the L-G’s directions, proposing that a one-time relaxation in educational qualifications could be granted as a special case to provide relief to the victims of the 1984 riots, it added.