Please refer to Railway Board's letter of even number dated 27.03.2000 (RBE 57/2000), vide which it was communicated that relaxations in qualifying marks in promotion to SC/ST candidates stand withdrawn.
2. The following proviso to Article 335 has since been incorporated in the Constitution through the Constitution (Eighty-Second Amendment)) Act, 2000.
"Provided that nothing in this Article shall prevent in making of any provision in favour of the members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination or lowering the standards of evaluation, for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of services or posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State."
3. In pursuance of the enabling proviso of Article 335 of the Constitution, it has been decided that the relaxations/concessions in the matters of promotion to candidates belonging to SC/ST category by way of lower qualifying marks/lesser standards of evaluation which existed prior to 27.03.2000, be restored. (This has reference to O.M. No. 36012/23/96-Estt. (Res.)-Vol.-II dated 03.10.2000 from the Department of Personnel & Training, which is the nodal department in this matter). In other words, the effect of these instructions would be that the earlier instructions contained in this Ministry's letter of even number dated 27.03.2000 (RBE 57/2000) become inoperative from 03.10.2000.
4. These orders shall take effect in respect of selections made on after 03.10.2000. The selections finalized earlier i.e. prior to 3.10.2000 shall not be disturbed.
5. These instructions shall be brought to the notice of all the concerned and the attached/ subordinate offices for compliance.