Lucknow: In a significant decision, the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh has introduced reservation in judiciary beginning with the appointment of presiding officers in the labour courts and industrial tribunals under the new quota.

"The vacant posts in the labour courts and industrial tribunals would be filled up by the candidates of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBC (other backward communities) nominees within two weeks as the government has extended reservation upto 50 per cent (in that sector of judiciary)," Minister of State for Labour Dharam Pal said on May 7.

The facility has been extended through a government order issued last month by amending the rules of 1996, he said.

Pal said 21 per cent of the posts will be reserved for dalits, 27 for OBCs and two for STs.

He said there were nine vacancies in labour courts and industrial tribunals and they would be filled up soon under the new reservation formula.

Retired judges and members of higher judicial services and state judicial services are eligible for appointment as presiding officers in these courts, the minister said.

He expressed hope that through this arrangement, the oppressed and the downtrodden would have better access to these courts.

Opposition Congress criticised the move as a "gimmick" and said the government should have consulted all political parties as the issue of reservation in judiciary was a sensitive one.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh said, "Mayawati is interested more in showing that her party is sticking to its agenda and is not sincere about providing reservation."

Chief Minister Mayawati had in a letter to Prime Minister last week demanded extension of reservation in private sector and judiciary and said her government was consulting the Law Department in this regard.

PTI