Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
Quota system becomes meaningful only when it dies not come into conflct with merit. There must be the reflection of merit in the quota. The system is universally accepted as a way of reserving some positions for minority and the for the disadvantaged locus. ” Quota, reservation, caste-based discrimination, or affirmative action; there are many names for the caste based practice in India. One of the most intense and mutable topics in India, reservation system has been able to agitate the nation with its controversial disfigurement and fanaticism on one hand, and gratify and coddle the backward class on other hand. The most pervasive ideology since ancient history has always caught the interest of the sociologists and scholars as the basis for the study of caste-based societal divisions in and outside India. Some defend it, some protest it, some use it (or rather misuse it) for their benefit, and some use it as vote-bank political tool.”
What we need is rationalization of the quota based recruitment. We may have women quota, quota for the freedom fighter, quota for the tribe, quota for the religious minority etc. Then again post reserved should be filled up in the manner that will not undermine merit and professionalism. Any persons deemed square peg in a round hole should not be declared qualified for entrance. Within the quota or reserved posts there must be arrangement for examination and fitness test to place right person in the right position. Quota does not mean accommodating the unqualified job seekers.
Due to inherent complexities in the quata system the existing quota related rules is complicated and a matter of multidimensional restrictions. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the Commission to select suitable candidate properly by applying the quota system.
We cannot abolish quota system. But we can watch on the present circumstances on the impacts of reservation systems. The number of reserved category has increased over the past decade. Easy access to those who have comparatively lower average in academics as well in competitive exams certainly has a degrading impact on the quality of serviceThere are voluminous cases when general category candidates lose their ranking to reserved category despite astounding performance.. This profusely increasing trend has been causing distress and frustration among public which eventually takes the shape of national tumults and agitations.
Unlike the practice in past decades, the current international negotiations about quota should be grounded in a revised formula that is objective and broadly acceptable to countries. A satisfactory formula will gauge, broadly and presumptively, the relative importance of individual countries in the current context of governance. Because subsequent changes in the circumstances and relative positions of member nations will be reflected objectively in calculations made with the formula, a satisfactory formula will prove viable and sustainable over a longer run. No single formula can be judged as unambiguously preferable, either to capture relative positions today or to adapt gradually to future changes in the world economy. The goals of simplicity and transparency compete with the goals of accuracy and completeness. What is deemed “objective” has a normative element and hence inevitably (though usually to a minor degree) differs across analysts? Even so, policymakers acting in good faith can identify formulas that are objective in reasonable and acceptable ways. And a generally reasonable formula is a greatly preferred starting point for intergovernmental political negotiations. Without an objective starting point, the exercise of raw political power virtually ensures that the status quo and inertia will play too large a role in negotiations. The absence of a satisfactory formula favors large and rich nations at the expense of the smaller and the poorer. Lack of an objectively defensible criterion as the foundation for discussions increases the chances of unproductive conflictual negotiations and lowers the probability that the negotiated outcome will reflect systemic values and goals. The pros and cons of using formulas to gauge the relative positions of nations in the world will increasingly preoccupy officials and political theorists in coming decades. For the purposes of the rest of this note, I take it for granted that a revised formula is highly desirable and should figure prominently in the current international negotiations. Recently demostration of the younger groups are against the high percentage of quota system. they are in favour of 10 per cent.
Our concluding observation is that merit system seems to be the best one in competition for job, admission and scholarship. So the percentage of recruitment by merit should not be less than seventy five. Only 25 per cent may be earmarked for the quota. Merit is merit. But quota may turn into spoil system. In that case mediocrity may take precedence over excellence. Many a political consideration may creep into the system. So keep quota system as minimum as possible.
