Pinarayi: KAS reservation only in open category

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that only candidates entering in the open category would be eligible for caste reservation in the Kerala Administrative Service (KAS).

Interacting with representatives of various Hindu organisations here, Mr. Vijayan said the Advocate General had ruled out reservation for those joining the KAS stream through transfer, posting or promotion. He mooted a Constitutional amendment that would make the poorest among forward castes eligible for reservation without whittling down the quota set for Dalits and Backward Classes.

Mr. Vijayan said individual sections of the Hindu community remained outside the mainstream of society.

The government was committed to their uplift. Other Eligible Communities (OEC) would continue to get their usual benefits.

He said he would examine the grievance that the Vishwakarma and Dheevara communities did not get their due in Devaswom appointments. He also promised to vet the demand for a memorial for social reformer Vaikunta Swami.

Mr. Vijayan said the government would introduce a Bill to repossess alienated Devaswom lands. He also announced a stock-taking audit of gold, silver and precious stones stored in strong rooms of Devaswom board temples. The treasures would be itemised and digitised.