Ranchi, Aug 18: The Jharkhand government is facing a fresh challenge from candidates who secured government jobs through recruitment examinations after the state Cabinet decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and other tests conducted by the agency TDPL.The decision was taken at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday night amid a prolonged agitation by students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The Cabinet also ordered an inquiry into recruitments and examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC since 2014 and approved the formation of a high-level committee to recommend reforms in the functioning of the two recruitment bodies. The committee will be headed by IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.However, the government’s move has triggered opposition from employees who were selected through the affected recruitment process.
A group of selected candidates staged a demonstration outside Project Bhavan, the state Secretariat complex in Ranchi, on Tuesday despite heavy rain. The protesters argued that candidates who were selected through a legitimate process should not lose their jobs because of alleged wrongdoing by others.
The employees have demanded that any action should be based on individual responsibility and evidence rather than cancellation of the entire recruitment process.Among those participating in the protest was Labour Enforcement Officer Ashish Minj from Khunti.
He said he had prepared for the recruitment while working in other organisations and secured the post through the selection process.”If some candidates committed irregularities, action should be taken against them. Those who are not involved should not be punished,” he said.Assistant Section Officer Prince Priyadarshi also questioned the decision, saying several selected candidates had joined their posts after court proceedings relating to the recruitment.
Another protester, Chanda Kumari, questioned whether cancelling an entire examination was the appropriate way to address alleged irregularities. She said candidates who were not involved in any wrongdoing should be given an opportunity to establish their eligibility.
The developments have put the state government in a difficult position, with student groups demanding a clean recruitment process while selected employees are seeking protection of their appointments.
The government is now required to balance the demand for accountability in recruitment examinations with the concerns of candidates who claim to have secured their appointments through a lawful selection process.
