If the zonal system is removed, it will have widespread impact on employment and educational opportunities
AP finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu
Hyderabad: The AP government is in a quandary over the zonal system in education and jobs, created by a Constitutional amendment in 1974, even as its plans to shift employees from Hyderabad to Vijayawada.
To make sure that children of government employees who will be shifted from Hyderabad to Vijayawada get local status, a powerful section in the AP government wants deletion of Article 371D. If the zonal system is removed, it will have widespread impact on employment and educational opportunities in all the four zones in AP.
As per the zonal system, people of one zone cannot apply for government posts in another zone. If the zonal system is removed, all 13 districts will become common zone in employment. People from Srikakulam can apply for government jobs in Krishna district and vice versa.
AP finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the government was mulling writing to the Centre requesting deletion of Article 371D. While issue of removal of zonal system has seen different opinions being expressed, there is broad agreement over deletion of Article 371D. Surprisingly, leaders of all political hues had demanded continuation of Article 371D in both states at the height of the Telangana agitation.
A top AP government official said if the zonal system is removed, injustice will be done to the people of backward Rayalaseema and north coastal districts. If the four Rayalaseema districts are made one zone, people from other districts will not be eligible for education and jobs there.
Asked about this, Mr Ramakrishnudu said the people of all districts will get equal opportunities in government jobs. Rayalaseema people can also apply for government jobs in coastal districts, he pointed out.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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