Assam government mulls free job applications for SC, ST candidates

GUWAHATI — The Assam government on Thursday introduced a bill to make all applications for its jobs free for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika tabled The Assam Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also looks after the Personnel department.

Presently, application fees for SC and ST candidates are half in government jobs compared to those from the general category.

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In the Statement of Objects and Reasons, Sarma said that the Bill “proposed to provide exemption of fees for examinations for selection to any service or posts under Government of Assam to be collected from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe candidates”.

He also said that it will have financial implications with the total fees collected against applications will be reduced as there will be complete waiver of fees from the SC and ST candidates.