Press Release: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
has issued notice to
Secretary of Department of Posts, Government of India, on rural employees
appointment norms that allegedly violates Human rights of the people
particularly of the candidate and the dalits.
Acting on the complaint of Odisha based rights activist
Akhand, the commission asked to the secretary to submit an action taken report within
a month.
Akhand, the petitioner alleged before the commission that
Department of Posts, Government of India has posted Gramin Dak Sevak(GDS) in rural
areas of the country with such conditions, that violates Human rights of the
employee and the some section of the citizens.
According to Terms and Conditions of Engagement post office
shall be located in the accommodation to be provided by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch
Postmaster suitable for use as Post Office premises.
“This arbitrary rule violates the Human Rights of a meritious
candidate. Department will not given any rent for the office. That means
providing Office room is solely business of the candidate. It is the only such
Government Department that frame such a strange
provision during recruitment of GDS Branch Post Masters (BPM)”, said Akhand.
Violation of Dalits Right:
As it is mandatory that the GDS BPM will provide House for the post office. Many
candidates have provided their Family room for this purpose.
If the Post office is in a House of Upper caste, Dalits are
not allowed or they are reluctant to go there due to social restriction and
vice versa. There are nearly one lakh 30 thousands GDS post offices and most of
these post offices are functioning in the family
premises of GDS BPM. So in this case victims of not getting public service and discrimination
are very large, informed Akhand.
Hearing the matter, the commission has ordered that. “Transmit a copy of
the complaint to the concerned authority calling for an action taken report
within four weeks.” It is the first time that such a appointment norms
challenged in a quasi judicial body or in a court of law.
