Mahesh Kumar
Hundreds of Adivasis from various states gathered in New Delhi on Sunday, December 2, for a convention organized by the Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) and the Centre for Adivasi Research and Development.
The event, held at HKS Bhavan, focused on the alarming marginalization of Adivasis in government and public sector employment, alongside the systematic erosion of their constitutional right to reservations.
A key highlight of the convention was the presentation of a report titled “Exclusion of Adivasis from Jobs” by Professor Vikas Rawal. The report detailed how the BJP-led Central government has leveraged its majority to introduce amendments to laws and regulations, severely undermining the already limited safeguards available to Adivasis.
Among the critical changes highlighted were amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and its Rules, which have removed the mention of “gram sabha,” and modifications to the Forest Rights Act and Mining and Minerals Development laws, effectively eliminating the need for free and informed consent from Adivasis for projects in their regions.
The report shed light on the impact of privatization in key sectors such as defence, mining, power, and irrigation, where powerful, unregulated private companies have encroached upon Adivasi territories.
The report cited data from the Annual Report on Pay and Allowances of Central Government Civilian Employees, which revealed an alarming discrepancy between sanctioned and filled posts. While the number of sanctioned posts increased by 4 lakh since 2014—reaching 40 lakh by March 2023—the actual number of employees decreased from 32 lakh in 2014 to 30 lakh in 2023. Vacant posts have doubled during this period, growing from 4.2 lakh to 10 lakh. This is most pronounced in Group C posts, where an additional 2.7 lakh posts were sanctioned, but vacancies increased by 5 lakh.
A Parliamentary panel in 2023 reported 12,167 vacant ST-reserved posts across nine ministries. Since 2014, the proportion of STs in central government positions has fallen from 8.55% to 7.33% by 2022, as per partial data from the Department of Personnel and Training.
Privatization and contractualization have led to a 35% reduction in CPSE employment since 2014, with STs suffering disproportionately. Over 25,169 ST-reserved positions were lost during this period, particularly in Group C and D posts. While overall ST job losses were 23%, losses in Group C and D posts reached 33%.
The report said that reports by Parliamentary committees reveal neglect, with reserved vacancies left unfilled for extended periods. For instance, in LIC, 1,200 backlog vacancies for Class III cadre remained unfilled, and only one ST employee was posted abroad out of 56 postings between 2015 and 2021.
The number of ST teachers in schools has fallen sharply, from 761,569 in 2018-19 to 726,728 in 2021-22—a loss of 35,000 jobs in three years.
Census 2011 showed that only 2% of doctors and 2.99% of nurses were from ST communities. Privatisation of medical education and healthcare has further limited opportunities for STs, exacerbating disparities in healthcare delivery in tribal areas.
CPI(M) leader and Chairperson of the AARM, Jitendra Chaudhury, strongly criticized the Modi government for its continuous erosion of Adivasi rights.
Speaking at the convention, he said, “The attacks on Adivasi rights have increased exponentially since the Modi government came to power. Constitutional safeguards for Adivasis, such as fair compensation norms for land acquisition, are being flagrantly violated by the Centre.”
Chaudhury also highlighted the declining representation of Adivasis in central government jobs.
“The Centre has failed to create new employment opportunities, and the significant backlog in Group C and D posts remains unaddressed. This deliberate neglect is denying Adivasis their rightful place in public sector employment,” he stated.
Pulin Baske, National Convenor of the AARM, and senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the constitutional rights of Adivasis and resist policies that undermine their livelihoods and access to employment.
The event, held at HKS Bhavan, focused on the alarming marginalization of Adivasis in government and public sector employment, alongside the systematic erosion of their constitutional right to reservations.
A key highlight of the convention was the presentation of a report titled “Exclusion of Adivasis from Jobs” by Professor Vikas Rawal. The report detailed how the BJP-led Central government has leveraged its majority to introduce amendments to laws and regulations, severely undermining the already limited safeguards available to Adivasis.
Among the critical changes highlighted were amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and its Rules, which have removed the mention of “gram sabha,” and modifications to the Forest Rights Act and Mining and Minerals Development laws, effectively eliminating the need for free and informed consent from Adivasis for projects in their regions.
The report shed light on the impact of privatization in key sectors such as defence, mining, power, and irrigation, where powerful, unregulated private companies have encroached upon Adivasi territories.
The report cited data from the Annual Report on Pay and Allowances of Central Government Civilian Employees, which revealed an alarming discrepancy between sanctioned and filled posts. While the number of sanctioned posts increased by 4 lakh since 2014—reaching 40 lakh by March 2023—the actual number of employees decreased from 32 lakh in 2014 to 30 lakh in 2023. Vacant posts have doubled during this period, growing from 4.2 lakh to 10 lakh. This is most pronounced in Group C posts, where an additional 2.7 lakh posts were sanctioned, but vacancies increased by 5 lakh.
A Parliamentary panel in 2023 reported 12,167 vacant ST-reserved posts across nine ministries. Since 2014, the proportion of STs in central government positions has fallen from 8.55% to 7.33% by 2022, as per partial data from the Department of Personnel and Training.
Privatization and contractualization have led to a 35% reduction in CPSE employment since 2014, with STs suffering disproportionately. Over 25,169 ST-reserved positions were lost during this period, particularly in Group C and D posts. While overall ST job losses were 23%, losses in Group C and D posts reached 33%.
The report said that reports by Parliamentary committees reveal neglect, with reserved vacancies left unfilled for extended periods. For instance, in LIC, 1,200 backlog vacancies for Class III cadre remained unfilled, and only one ST employee was posted abroad out of 56 postings between 2015 and 2021.
The number of ST teachers in schools has fallen sharply, from 761,569 in 2018-19 to 726,728 in 2021-22—a loss of 35,000 jobs in three years.
Census 2011 showed that only 2% of doctors and 2.99% of nurses were from ST communities. Privatisation of medical education and healthcare has further limited opportunities for STs, exacerbating disparities in healthcare delivery in tribal areas.
CPI(M) leader and Chairperson of the AARM, Jitendra Chaudhury, strongly criticized the Modi government for its continuous erosion of Adivasi rights.
Speaking at the convention, he said, “The attacks on Adivasi rights have increased exponentially since the Modi government came to power. Constitutional safeguards for Adivasis, such as fair compensation norms for land acquisition, are being flagrantly violated by the Centre.”
Chaudhury also highlighted the declining representation of Adivasis in central government jobs.
“The Centre has failed to create new employment opportunities, and the significant backlog in Group C and D posts remains unaddressed. This deliberate neglect is denying Adivasis their rightful place in public sector employment,” he stated.
Pulin Baske, National Convenor of the AARM, and senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the constitutional rights of Adivasis and resist policies that undermine their livelihoods and access to employment.
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