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The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued G.O.Ms.No.77, General Administration (Services-D) Department, dated 2th August 2023, introducing significant amendments to Rule-22 of the AP State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996. This G.O. deals with the implementation of horizontal reservations for Women, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Servicemen, and Meritorious Sportspersons in direct recruitment and promotions.
Andhra Pradesh Govt Issues G.O.Ms.No.77 on Horizontal Reservation in State Services
Background
The Government referred to several Supreme Court Judgments including Anil Kumar Gupta vs State of UP (1995), Rajesh Kumar Daria vs RPSC (2007), Mamta Bisht Case (2010) and Janhit Abhiyan vs Union of India (2022). These judgments clarified the difference between vertical (social) reservations and horizontal (special) reservations.
Accordingly, the State Government reviewed its policies and accepted the recommendations of a High-Level Committee, leading to the amendments under this G.O.
Key Highlights of G.O.Ms.No.77
1. Horizontal Reservation Explained
- Vertical Reservations: SC, ST, OBC, EWS categories under Article 16(4).
- Horizontal Reservations: Women, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Meritorious Sportspersons under Article 16(1)/15(3).
- Horizontal reservation cuts across vertical quotas and ensures representation within each category.
2. Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
- 4% Reservation in appointments and promotions.
Distributed as:
- 1% Blindness/Low Vision
- 1% Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- 1% Locomotor Disability (Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy)
- 1% Autism, Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, Specific Learning Disability, Multiple Disabilities
- Separate 100-point reservation roster maintained by departments.
- Exemptions possible for certain posts through an Inter-Departmental Committee.
3. Reservation for Ex-Servicemen
- 2% reservation in Direct Recruitment.
- Out of this, 1% is for women ex-servicemen (if not available, filled by men).
- Reservation does not apply in promotions.
4. Reservation for Meritorious Sportspersons
- 2% reservation in Direct Recruitment.
- Candidates adjusted in their respective social category roster points (OC/BC/SC/ST/EWS).
- If no eligible candidate is available, quota lapses.
- No reservation in promotions.
5. Reservation for Women
- 33 1/3% Horizontal Reservation across all categories (OC, BC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Sports Quota) in Direct Recruitment.
- Ensured through interlocking reservation system.
- Women selected on merit within vertical quota are also counted towards horizontal quota.
- Separate registers maintained for monitoring representation.
6. Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- 10% reservation in accordance with the 103rd Constitutional Amendment.
- Applicable to candidates not covered under SC, ST, BC reservations and with annual family income below ₹8 lakhs.
7. Sequence of Filling Posts
1. Fill Open Competition quota on merit.
2. Fill Vertical Reservations (SC, ST, BC, EWS).
3. Apply Horizontal Reservations (Women, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, Sports Quota).
Operational Guidelines
- Departments must maintain separate reservation registers.
- Carry forward mechanism applies if suitable candidates not available.
- PwBDs and women enjoy reservation in both recruitment & promotions, while Ex-Servicemen and Sports quota apply only for direct recruitment.
Conclusion
With the issuance of G.O.Ms.No.77 (2023), the Government of Andhra Pradesh has laid out a clear framework for implementing horizontal reservations. This ensures equitable representation for women, PwBDs, ex-servicemen, and sportspersons in State services, while aligning with constitutional provisions and Supreme Court directives.
This move is expected to bring greater inclusivity and fairness in public employment across Andhra Pradesh.
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