In Brief
This appeal concerns 595 unfilled Elementary Trained Teachers (ETT) posts reserved for Scheduled Castes/Tribes, after the merit selection process failed to produce eligible candidates in that category. Backward Class (OBC) candidates sought inter-changeability of these reserved posts. The Court held that while Policy letter No. 17246 permitted such inter-changeability, Section 7 of the 2006 Act restricts de-reservation to only those cases where the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes determines it necessary in the public interest. The Court rejected the relief because six years had passed since the original merit list was prepared, making reliance on that list stale and unjustified. The High Court's direction to re-advertise the posts was upheld as proper.
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