Letters to THE EDITOR: Recruitment exams and scam

Yet another recruitment scam has surfaced in Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) involving many senior officials of the entity. The examination was reportedly conducted by Gauhati University and many from the prestigious University are also allegedly hand in glove in this sordid episode. This comes close on the heels of the SI Recruitment scandal last year when also many so-called high-profile senior officers of police and politicians of the then ruling party BJP were allegedly involved. The panchayat recruitment scam was another such slur. It appears that one scam is competing with others to beat the mother of all recruitment scams that took place in the APSC over a long period. The regularity and frequency with which way these cash-for-job scams are emerging in Assam will testify to the low probity in public life has plunged and how merit has been massacred as the government appears indifferent and at best soft. The obvious casualty is the quality of administration and perpetuation of social inequities.

I have a few suggestions for ensuring a clean and impartial recruitment process where merit alone will be the deciding factor for appointments in government jobs.

Firstly, it would be prudent on the part of the new government to study the process of bank recruitment examination conducted by Indian Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) which is considered foolproof, impartial and highly professional and has so far not been tainted by any leakage. It is also worth examining how UPSC JEEs and other professional bodies conduct their tests/interviews by maintaining the highest standards of integrity of the process and implement such best practices here.

Secondly, it is always advisable to entrust statutory bodies like APSC with conducting recruitment tests. The prerequisite for this is honest officers and eminent subject experts who should be selected/nominated by the government. Genuine autonomy is another essential attribute for the effective functioning of the statutory body. Kerala Public Service Commission is one of the few and rare statutory bodies in India which has demonstrated its ability and expertise to conduct free, fair and transparent job tests. It is also worth studying their process.

Thirdly, there is a dire need for APSC to be transparent in their conduct of various tests by revealing the test marks and marks obtained in an interview by candidates and publishing the merit list with these details in all leading newspapers in the state. Videography of interviews will also lend credibility to the whole process.

Fourthly the quality of tests needs to be ensured by keeping in mind the relevance of the questions vis-a-vis the posts and job profile so that only the best can be chosen for the task.

Selection of meritorious and suitable candidates is possible only through a fair and transparent recruitment process. This will have a profound impact on the economic and social development of the state.

Rajib Sarma,

Guwahati

Some throwbacks

The new recruit of Congress, Kanhaiya Kumar, was welcomed into the party in grand style. This 'illustrious' son of the soil had in the past made some statements that created ripples in the country. Here are some throwbacks-

1. Bharat teretukdetukrehonge, inshallah.

2. Indian Army rapes women in Kashmir.

3. I will name my wife Bharat Mata.

4. RSS sells Hindutva to Hindus.

Afzal Hum sharmindahai, tere katil zinda hai.Certainly, Congress has recruited a true patriot who will take the party and nation to greater heights!

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.