STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the ceremonial distribution of appointment letters to over 11,000 new recruits to various departments of the state government here on Friday and asserted that the days are over when recruitment drives turned into 'job markets' because now jobs are being secured 'in a clean and transparent way' on the basis of merit alone.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister urged the new appointees to work with dedication and abstain from corruption in view of the fact that they have secured jobs in an honest way.
"Our government earlier appointed 27,737 candidates and now we are appointing 11,236 more candidates, but not a single credible report of any irregularity has surfaced. We are going to appoint another 26,000 Grade-III and Grade-IV employees soon. If even a single instance of irregularity in that process is proved, then my ministry will tender its resignation," Sarma said.
He said that there was a time when political influence decided selection of appointees, while some officers used to take money and distribute appointment letters to all and sundry without considering merit. Sarma added that the incumbent government has faced any challenges while getting rid of that system. Sarma further mentioned that a section of the society still looks with suspicion at the government's thrust on transparency in recruiting employees.
"However, Assam is moving in a new direction and there is no room for negative mindsets in this milieu. No one will be allowed to create a situation which impedes the development of Assam. If humanism exists in our hearts, then there cannot be corruption in recruitment processes," Sarma said.
Referring to the more than 5,000 newly-appointed police personnel, the Chief Minister asked them to bear in mind that the uniforms that they will be wearing from this day onwards are meant for protecting common folk, and not for oppressing them.
Also Watch: