Temple managements not implementing reservation rosters, says NCST member

Sub : Polity

Sew: National Bodies

Context:

Jatothu Hussain Nayak, a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), has highlighted issues related to the management of temples in southern India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
He criticized temple managements for not implementing reservation rosters and for discriminating against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) employees in promotions and service matters.

Temple Management Issues:

Nayak conducted reviews of various temple managements, including the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Bhadrachalam, Srisailam Temple, and Puri Jagannath Temple.
He found that many temples, especially those in tribal-dominated areas, failed to adhere to mandated reservation policies. In many temples, the reservation system, which ensures job opportunities for SC/ST employees, is not being followed at all.
There is also widespread discrimination, especially regarding promotions and other service matters for SC and ST employees.

Legal and Administrative Challenges:

In August, during a review of TTD, the NCST discovered several issues affecting SC/ST welfare. When the NCST sought clarification from the Executive Officer (EO) of TTD, the temple management attempted to evade responsibility and went to the High Court for a stay order.

Other concerns:

A common complaint from ST communities in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala relates to issues with forest pattas (land rights). Many STs face difficulties in securing land rights and have reported delays and unfair practices in the allotment of these lands.
Nayak’s review of public sector undertakings and district-level administrative bodies revealed that ST employees often face discrimination in service matters. These issues range from promotions to general working conditions.
Awareness of the commission’s role and its functions remains low in the southern states.