Jaipur- The Dr. Ambedkar Anusuchit Jati Adhikari Karmchari Association (AJAK), Rajasthan, has formally appealed to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, demanding immediate enforcement of reservation norms for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the recruitment of 22,000 contractual ‘Nal Jal Mitra’ positions under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The association alleges that the current selection process violates Rajasthan’s contractual hiring rules, depriving marginalized communities of rightful employment opportunities.

Background of the Issue

Under the centrally sponsored JJM scheme, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Panchayati Raj Department are tasked with appointing two ‘Nal Jal Mitras’ in each of Rajasthan’s approximately 11,000 gram panchayats across 352 blocks. These contractual workers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems, ensuring the sustainability of the mission’s infrastructure.

However, AJAK Chairman Shriram Chordia has highlighted a critical oversight in the recruitment process—the non-application of The Rajasthan Contractual Hiring to Civil Posts Rules, 2022 and Rajasthan Part-Time Contractual Hiring Rules, 2023. These rules explicitly mandate reservation for SC/ST/OBC candidates in all state-run and state-funded contractual positions.

Key Concerns Raised by AJAK

Violation of Reservation Policy: The current JJM recruitment does not adhere to Rajasthan’s existing reservation framework, denying SC/ST candidates their constitutionally guaranteed share in government-related employment.

Contradiction with Social Justice Principles: The exclusion of reserved categories from 22,000 contractual jobs undermines the state’s commitment to equitable opportunities, particularly in rural employment schemes.

Precedent of Compliance: AJAK cited that other state departments and projects have successfully implemented these contractual hiring rules, making JJM’s deviation unjustifiable.

In his letter, Chordia urged the CM to:

• Issue directives to PHED and Panchayati Raj to enforce the 2022 and 2023 contractual hiring rules in JJM recruitments.

• Ensure that future selections for ‘Nal Jal Mitra’ positions include reserved quotas for SC/ST candidates as per state norms.

• Review any ongoing or completed recruitments under JJM to rectify exclusionary practices.