LUCKNOW: Re-initiating its outreach to dalits and OBCs after the 2019 general elections, the BJP-led UP government on Saturday announced reservation for SC/ST and backward classes in contracts of Rs 40 lakh or less by PWD, Bridge Corporation and UP State Construction And Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, who heads these departments, has indicated that 60% of the contracts of Rs 40 lakh or less will be reserved and has asked officials to prepare a proposal for this at the earliest, adding that this rule should be implemented without delay.
The move comes in the wake of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoking the stringent National Security Act against the accused in two cases of attacks on dalits this week, the first where homes of Dalits were burnt after an altercation between Dalit and Muslim youth and the second in which a Dalit girl was harassed and later, people from her community beaten up by the culprits.
Sources in the government said that the move was a signal that no caste violence would be tolerated in the state.
On Saturday, Maurya said that the plan will work around providing 21% reservation to contractors from scheduled castes, 2% to those from schedule tribes, 27% to those from backward classes while another 10% will be reserved for financially poor contractors in general category.
“This move will ensure that contractors from all backgrounds get equitable representation in government works. While this will give an opportunity to those from backward classes and SC/ST backgrounds to get work opportunities, it will also encourage competition which will lead to improved quality of work at reasonable rates,” Maurya said. The minister added that if all departments which contract work were to add a similar clause, it would be highly beneficial at all levels.
Maurya has also proposed employing BTech and diploma holders unemployed civil engineers in contacts of up to Rs 10 lakh. “This will help in gainfully employing young engineers who are without jobs. The government will also link them with banks for easy loans,” the minister said.
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, who heads these departments, has indicated that 60% of the contracts of Rs 40 lakh or less will be reserved and has asked officials to prepare a proposal for this at the earliest, adding that this rule should be implemented without delay.
The move comes in the wake of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoking the stringent National Security Act against the accused in two cases of attacks on dalits this week, the first where homes of Dalits were burnt after an altercation between Dalit and Muslim youth and the second in which a Dalit girl was harassed and later, people from her community beaten up by the culprits.
Sources in the government said that the move was a signal that no caste violence would be tolerated in the state.
On Saturday, Maurya said that the plan will work around providing 21% reservation to contractors from scheduled castes, 2% to those from schedule tribes, 27% to those from backward classes while another 10% will be reserved for financially poor contractors in general category.
“This move will ensure that contractors from all backgrounds get equitable representation in government works. While this will give an opportunity to those from backward classes and SC/ST backgrounds to get work opportunities, it will also encourage competition which will lead to improved quality of work at reasonable rates,” Maurya said. The minister added that if all departments which contract work were to add a similar clause, it would be highly beneficial at all levels.
Maurya has also proposed employing BTech and diploma holders unemployed civil engineers in contacts of up to Rs 10 lakh. “This will help in gainfully employing young engineers who are without jobs. The government will also link them with banks for easy loans,” the minister said.
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