With an eye on bypolls, UP government likely to reinstate reservation for contract and outsourcing jobs

Apna Dal (S) national president Anupriya Patel has demanded reservation policy should be followed in letter and spirit during any government appointment. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to restore the reservation system for posts filled through contract and outsourcing, responding to mounting pressure from opposition and allies. The move is expected to be implemented before the bypolls for 10 assembly seats.

The issue gained momentum after the Legislature Committee raised concerns about reservations in recruitment through contracts and outsourcing. The opposition has also been critical of the government's stance on this issue. Even BJP ally Apna Dal has also demanded the implementation of quotas in contracts and outsourcing appointments.

Apna Dal (S) national president Anupriya Patel, who is also Union Minister in Modi cabinet, has demanded reservation policy should be followed in letter and spirit during any government appointment – be it permanent, contractual or appointments made through outsourcing.

Other BJP allies NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad and Om Prakash Rajbhar of Suheldeo Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) have also supported Anupriya Patel.

There is speculation that before the by-elections, the government may introduce 21% reservation for SCs, 2% for STs, and 27% for OBCs in these recruitments.

The government has recently hired over 4 lakh employees through contract and outsourcing, with significant numbers in the Medical and Health Department, Urban Development Department, Panchayati Raj Department, and Rural Development Department.

Initial data from the Information Department shows that out of 676 outsourcing employees, 512 belong to reserved categories, with 340 from the OBC category. This represents approximately 75% of the total, despite current rules not requiring reservation in these roles. But there is no information about appointments made in other departments.

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya recently stirred up a debate by writing to the appointment and personnel department, urging the implementation of the reservation system for contract and outsourcing recruitments. His letter, which went viral, caused a stir within the BJP and across government circles.

During the election campaign, the opposition had made reservation an issue and claimed that only candidates of a particular caste given appointments in government jobs.

The joint committee of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Vimukta Jati in the Legislature has also recommended implementing the reservation system. BJP SC Morcha state president Ramchandra Kanaujia submitted a report demanding the extension of reservation benefits in contract and outsourcing recruitment following the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

"Our committee is categorical in its recommendation that any appointment made in the government sector should follow reservation policy," Kanaujia said.

The reservation system for contract and outsourcing jobs was originally introduced by the Mayawati government in 2008. The Yogi government is now reinstating it but is expected to tailor it in a way that benefits the BJP politically, particularly among backward, Dalit, and tribal communities.

A senior official in Personnel and Appointment Department said that outsourced employees are not considered direct government employees and therefore do not currently receive reservation benefits. He emphasized that new rules will need to be stricter to implement reservation effectively in outsourcing roles.

Contract vs. Outsourcing Employees

In UP government, there are three kinds of appointment. One, direct appointment which is carried out by the Selection Boards where reservation norms are followed. Two, the contractual appointment and the third one is appointments through outsourcing.

Contract employees: These workers are hired directly through a contract between the government department and the individual. They receive a fixed monthly salary, and their contract can be terminated at any time.

Outsourcing employees: In this arrangement, a company or third party supplies workers to government departments. These contracts can also be ended at any time.

Both types of employment benefit the government financially, as these employees do not receive the same benefits as regular government staff and can be dismissed without lengthy procedures.