Guj first state to give EWS quota

Gujarat will become the first state to implement the latest EWS quota. The Gujarat government on Sunday announced that it would implement the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category from January 14. The Constitutional amendment to provide the 10 per cent quota received President Ram Nath Kovind's assent on Saturday.

The constitutional amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 and by Rajya Sabha on January 9.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tweeted, "Happy to state that the economically weaker sections from the general category will get 10 per cent reservation in admissions to higher education and government jobs in Gujarat starting Uttarayan on January 14."

The new quota will also be implemented in admissions and jobs which were advertised before January 14 but for which the actual process has not started, a government press release said. In such cases, fresh announcement about the admission process or jobs will have to be made, it added.

However, if the recruitment or admission process - tests or interviews - has started before January 14, the 10 per cent quota would not apply, the release said.

Gujarat Congress Chief Amit Chavda told new agencies, "The Chief Minister should explain the logic behind this hasty announcement and the process to implement it. It will create confusion among the candidates."

According to the law, members of upper caste who do not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land, do not have houses bigger than 1,000 square feet, earn less than Rs 8 lakh per annum, have less than 100 yards of land under a notified municipality or have less than 200 sq yards of land in a non-notified municipality will get the benefit of 10% reservation.


GPSC postpones all exams due after January 20

The Gujarat government’s decision has also led to postponement of exams to be conducted by Gujarat Public Service Commission. GPSC has announced that it will postpone all the recruitment exams that were to be taken after January 20.

More than 40,000 students will be impacted by GPSC’s decision. The exams postponed include those for class 2 posts like Assistant Engineers for Roads and Building, and Narmada and Water Supplies department.

It is likely that the GPSC will wait till the government clarifies the process by which EWS candidates can be identified and issued an EWS certificate, said sources. GPSC will have to once again issue advertisements for the posts and EWS candidates will have to be asked to upload their certificates before applications are taken afresh, sources added.

Dinesh Dasa, Chairman of GPSC said, “We have postponed the exams for the posts where preliminary exams are yet to be taken. Candidates will be informed about the new exam date later. We will wait for the government notification and instructions as far as EWS candidates are concerned and finalise further action.”

The other exams postponed are: Class 1microbiologists, pathologists, ENT surgeons and radiologists. It is likely that the exams to be held in February for Class 2 posts like lecturer for anatomy, physiology, homeopathy, pharmacy, pathology, forensic medicine, General Statistical Service, Gujarati reporters and archaeological engineers will also be postponed.