20 officers demoted in wake of Bombay HC's quota order

Mumbai: For the first time, as per Bombay high court’s order setting aside reservation in promotion, the Maharashtra education department on December 4 demoted 20 officers who had been promoted on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile, the government has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, challenging the Bombay high court order that struck down a government resolution (GR) propounding reservation in promotions for scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) category employees.

The order by the education department said, “The promotions were given for 11 months on a temporary basis and cannot be continued further. A total 37 officers were given promotion, of which, 20 accepted it and joined duties. A government resolution (GR) for the temporary promotion was issued on July 1, 2016, stating that the final decision would depend on the high court’s order.”

 The GR also said that the promotions were given till new employees could be recruited through exams. The demoted employees include officers having the post of education officer, project-in-charge etc.

Reacting to the issue, education minister Vinod Tawde said that the officers had been told that it was a temporary promotion. “It was for a certain period and as per the high court’s order, the decision was taken. But we will ensure that officers don’t suffer and they get promotion in an ordinary way,” he said.

The high court in a 2:1 decision in August said that reservations in promotion were not valid, which was challenged by the state.