New Delhi – The recruitment advertisement issued by RITES LIMITED (Rail India Technical and Economic Service), a public sector engineering and consultancy company, has sparked a new controversy. The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) has sent a legal notice to RITES, alleging discrimination against Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates in its recruitment process.

Recently, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) faced controversy for charging SC/ST candidates an application processing fee. Now, RITES' new recruitment notification has also come under fire from the Bahujan community.

In the legal notice sent to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of RITES, the organization has raised objections over the recruitment advertisement numbers M/1/25 - M/60/25, which mandates a ₹300 application fee for SC/ST candidates—a move they claim violates government policies.

According to the legal notice issued by advocate S. L. Vishal on behalf of BANAE, RITES' move to charge a fee from SC/ST candidates violates the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order dated July 1, 1985.

The DoPT order no. 36011/3/84-Estt. (SCT) dated July 1, 1985, clearly states that SC/ST candidates must be exempted from any recruitment examination fee.

The legal notice argues that this government directive aims to ensure equal opportunities for economically and socially disadvantaged communities. By imposing a ₹300 fee, RITES is violating Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 16 (Right to Equal Opportunity) of the Indian Constitution.

20-Day Application Window Violates Official Guidelines

The legal notice also challenges RITES' decision to set a 20-day application period, arguing that it violates Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directives issued in 1953 and 1956.

According to MHA OM no. 71/12/53-DGS dated March 12, 1953, and OM no. 71/146/54-CS(C) dated March 2, 1956, all government or PSU recruitment advertisements must provide a minimum 60-day notification period.

The legal notice points out that the advertisement covers four categories—Engineer, Assistant Manager, Manager, and Senior Manager, but fails to specify the number of reserved positions for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.

Under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian Constitution, it is mandatory to clearly define reservation policies in government job recruitments. The lack of clarity in the advertisement raises concerns that RITES might be bypassing reservation norms.

The notice also questions the identity of the authority responsible for issuing the advertisement.

The notice also raises concerns about whether RITES complied with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting guidelines, which mandate wide publicity of government job notifications through 'Employment News' and other public platforms.

Failure to follow these guidelines could disproportionately impact SC/ST candidates in rural and remote areas, who may not receive timely information about the job openings.

Since the recruitment notification does not mention the issuing authority, BANAE has sent the legal notice directly to RITES' CMD.

An Attack on Bahujan Rights" – Organizations Call It ‘Injustice’

Bahujan organizations have condemned this recruitment advertisement, calling it "injustice". They argue that charging SC/ST candidates ₹300 violates the principles of social justice and constitutional safeguards.

Ambedkarite and Bahujan engineers' organizations, including BANAE, are demanding that RITES immediately withdraw the advertisement and issue a revised notification that:

1. Grants full fee exemption to SC/ST candidates

2. Provides a minimum 60-day application period

Lately, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) faced controversy for charging SC/ST candidates an application processing fee. Now, RITES' new recruitment notification has also come under fire from the Bahujan community.

BANAE has warned that if RITES does not withdraw the advertisement within seven days, it will file a petition in the High Court for legal intervention.

So far, RITES has not issued an official statement on the matter. The Mooknayak has reached out to RITES' CMD for their response.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, BANAE National President Nagsen Sonare, "We have issued a notice to the CMD of BHEL against the illegal charging of processing fees from SC-ST candidates in their recent recruitment advertisement for Engineer Trainees and Supervisor Trainees.

All members need to remain vigilant, as Brahmin supremacists are conspiring against SC-ST, OBC, and minority communities in various government departments, institutions, universities, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).

If the advertisement is not withdrawn, we will initiate the process of filing an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989."

Ambedkarite thinkers believe that this controversy is not limited to BHEL or RITES alone. If PSU companies adopt a policy of charging recruitment fees from SC/ST candidates, it could significantly impact the representation of the Bahujan community in government jobs. The key question now is whether RITES will revise its recruitment advertisement. If not, the matter could escalate toward judicial intervention.