28/12/2022
* Landmark judgements*
*जिन्होंने आरक्षण के इतिहास को बदला है।*
(2)
*AIR 1968 SC 507*
*C.A. Rajendran*
*v.*
*Union of India & Ors*
पदोन्नति में आरक्षण के सम्बन्ध में सुप्रीम कोर्ट की 5 जजों की संवैधानिक पीठ का दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय हुआ जिसमें कहा गया कि सरकार को ST/SC को पदोन्नति में आरक्षण देने का अधिकार है लेकिन यह सरकार की विवेकाधीन शक्ति (discretionary power) है।
नागरिकों (ST/SC) को न तो आरक्षण मांगने का अधिकार है और न ही Article 16(4) के अंतर्गत आरक्षण देना सरकार का संवैधानिक दायित्व है।
CA Rajendran v. Union of India (1967, five-judge bench)
The court dealt with the Centre’s decision that there would be no reservation for the SC and STs in appointments made by promotions to Class I and II services in the railways as these required a higher degree of efficiency and responsibility.
However, such reservations were to continue in certain grades and services in Class III and Class IV.
The Centre’s had said there is no constitutional compulsion to make reservations for the SCs and STs in posts filled through promotion and the question whether reservation should be continued or withdrawn was entirely a matter of public policy.
The Supreme Court agreed with the Centre holding that *Article 16(4) does not confer any right on the petitioner and there is no constitutional duty imposed on the government to make reservation for the SCs and STs, either at the initial stage of recruitment or at the stage of promotion.*
*“Art. 16(4) is an enabling provision and confers a discretionary power on the State to make a reservation of appointments in favour of backward class of citizens which, in its opinion, is not adequately represented in the Services of the State.*
