I-T dept okays jobs for locals: Sena

"Two key demands of the Shiv Sena -- priority to 'sons of soils' and use of Marathi in the department's offices have been accepted by the I-T Chief Commissioner (Mumbai region)," Anil Desai, who led the delegation of Sthaniya Lokadhikar Samiti Mahasangh, a Sena outfit which seeks to promote job opportunities for locals, told PTI.

Text: PTI

The department announced 40 vacancies for Grade D workers recently across the country. However, it is mandatory for the department to seek applications only from Maharashtra to give preference to locals, Desai said.

It was also observed that the department was not following the three-language formula as per the Central Government regulation, he said adding that "the regulation states that local language should be given priority, followed by Hindi and English in office work."

The Income Tax Department Commissioner D Das has assured that priority would be given to sons of soil and language formula would also be implemented by the staff, Desai said.

The Shiv Sena, whose overall tally in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections declined by one seat compared to in the 2004 polls, has decided to step up focus on the 'sons of soil issue'.

Earlier this year, Shiv Sena activists protested outside the I-T department in Mumbai alleging discrimination against Maharashtrians in Grade 4 level recruitments.