Addressing a know-how summit in late 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that India had made “technology a medium to attain social justice”. Admirable because it sounds, greater than 4 years later, the truth is that the environment friendly implementation of know-how within the space of reservation in promotions for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) stays a distant dream.

In February, whereas taking cognisance of the varied petitions filed by state governments and reserved class staff citing insufficient illustration and unfilled posts in reserved classes, the Supreme Court asked all states to provide information on the cadre-wise data on the inadequate representation of the SCs and the STs for facilitating reservation in promotions.

The Union authorities knowledgeable the apex courtroom that it had information on the illustration of the SCs and the STs in several lessons of jobs (Class I, II, III, and IV), and that adequacy of illustration differed throughout employment lessons — with the next proportion in Class III and Class IV, and really low in Class I. The Centre admitted that collecting cadre-wise data was challenging as a result of the Union authorities has over 5,000 cadre in 90 ministries/departments, using round 3 million individuals. At current, the roster system is extremely decentralised with the roster being maintained at a departmental level.

This is problematic as a result of the ruling in Nagraj vs Union of India (2006) requires that the federal government should present cadre-wise quantifiable information to exhibit the insufficient illustration of the SCs and the STs earlier than going ahead with offering reservations in promotions.

This obvious inadequacy — to take care of the cadre-wise information for making certain well timed promotions within the reserved class — requires a digital resolution, i.e., a centralised, and digitalised grasp roster. This is not going to solely create an up to date database that’s streamlined and simply accessible, however it’s going to additionally allow the Union authorities to observe the departments on the subject of updating their rosters punctually. It may also cut back the possibilities of errors and inconsistencies within the reservation information. This environment friendly administration of knowledge would, in flip, assist rebuild belief and credibility within the reservation system, which has usually faced criticism for its laxity on the subject of making promotions.

Complementarily, a centralised, digitalised grasp roster serving as a complete repository of knowledge on the illustration of varied reserved castes would additionally facilitate the efficient implementation of the creamy layer principle, which excludes the comparatively wealthier and privileged castes throughout the reserved castes from availing reservations, as prolonged by the ruling in Jarnail Singh v Lacchmi Narain Gupta (2018) to the SCs and the STs for reservation in promotions.

Furthermore, it might even be instrumental in formulating inside reservations throughout the reservation matrix to profit these castes who haven’t achieved parity with the reserved castes which have already benefited from reservations. This would guarantee a extra equitable distribution of alternatives throughout the traditionally marginalised castes.

Therefore, the federal government should view the courtroom’s directive in search of cadre-wise information as a chance to behave on its dedication to social justice by way of know-how. Moreover, the digitalisation of this course of additionally aligns with the larger vision of Digital India. This transfer can serve for instance of how know-how could be harnessed to make sure social justice, and bridge the gaps which have plagued the system for years.

It can also be important to handle any potential drawbacks and issues which will come up with the implementation of a centralised grasp roster. Data privateness and safety should be a precedence, with strong measures in place to guard delicate data from unauthorized entry or misuse. Additionally, clear pointers and protocols must be established to make sure that the digital roster is used responsibly and ethically by all events concerned.

Modi’s phrases on the function of know-how in social justice should not stay a distant dream. It is time for the Union authorities to take decisive motion and begin working in direction of a centralised and digitalised system that may genuinely deal with the problem of insufficient illustration in promotions for the SCs and the STs. Only then can we hope to attain a extra inclusive and equitable society that leaves nobody behind.

(Jehosh Paul is a lawyer and analysis marketing consultant related to the Congress)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the writer’s personal. They don’t essentially replicate the views of DH.