Kollam: Reservation has been made applicable for appointments in aided educational institutions under Devaswom boards. This is the first time that reservation has been brought into effect in aided sector appointments in the state.

The state government has mandated the Devaswom board to make appointments to teaching and non-teaching posts in the colleges and schools under it by following the reservation rules set by the PSC (Public service commission). On February 22, a joint meeting of the boards was held under the chairmanship of Devaswom minister K Radhakrishnan. Five of the boards agreed with the decision to implement reservations.

Pattikajathi Kshema Samithi (PKS), an organisation for the welfare of scheduled castes and tribes under the CPM, had conducted various strikes demanding reservation in aided sector appointments. There are four colleges and 22 schools under the Travancore Devaswom board, two colleges and once school under the Cochin Devaswom board and one college and one school under the Guruvayur Devaswom board.