SI recruitment: State does U-turn

Yielding to pressure from pro-Telangana student groups, the Rosaiah government performed a complete somersault by announcing indefinite postponement of the written test for recruitment of sub-inspectors within 24 hours of declaring that it would go head with the exam.

This turnaround drew strong criticism from political parties across the board, barring the Telangana Rashtra Samiti which promptly withdrew its call for a bandh on Saturday. On the other hand, the announcement triggered protests in university campuses in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Angry student leaders of Andhra, Acharya Nagarjuna, Sri Krishnadevaraya and Sri Venkateswara universities gave a call for closure of all educational institutions on November 20.

As Chief Minister K. Rosaiah was on a trip to Guntur, the announcement about deferring the test was made on his behalf by Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy and M. Malakondaiah, chairman, State Level Police Recruitment Board, here on Friday. She said the situation was not “conducive” for holding the test. It would be held once the situation turned congenial.

Ms. Sabita urged pro-Telangana student groups to understand the unemployment problem and the disappointment it caused to candidates who had qualified for the test due to the postponement. Applicants prepared for the tests for two years. If an opportunity was not provided now, they would turn ineligible for any government post due to overage. She further justified the postponement on the ground that the government would otherwise have been accused of being adamant. She parried questions as to why the government was ignoring feelings of the candidates of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

The Home Minister was at pains to explain that the government was sincere in its efforts to delete 14 (f) clause from the Presidential Order which declared Hyderabad as a free zone for police recruitment. She listed out the initiatives taken in this direction right from March 16, 2010 when Supreme Court delivered a judgment to treat Hyderabad as a free zone.

Case listed

Meanwhile, a writ petition challenging the contentious provision of 14 (f) in the Presidential Order was listed in the High Court on Friday. It is likely to be taken up on Monday for preliminary hearing.

The writ petition was filed by Narayana of Nizamabad who sought suspension of the clause. Case was listed before the Acting Chief Justice, B. Prakash Rao and Justice V.S. Appa Rao and is likely to be taken up on Monday.