Well, we agree with what the state Congress unit is suggesting with regard to job recruitment. Instead of conducting job recruitment for Grade C and D posts by departments concerned on piecemeal basis, the task should be entrusted with the newly instituted Staff Selection Commission in the state by making it fully functional through appointment of the chairman and members.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly had on August 9 unanimously passed the Manipur Staff Selection Commission Bill, 2022 (bill number 5 of 2022) with an objective to conduct recruitment examination of Grade C and D posts in free and fair manner and state government in turn notified Manipur Staff Selection Commission Act 2022 through a gazette notification of the Act on August 16, 2022.
Later, the department of Personnel and Training issued a notification on August 31, 2022 for implementation of the said Act from September 1, 2022. Further, this department also issued notification on September 20, 2022 to take recruitment of the said Grade C and D posts under the Manipur State Selection Commission Rules 2022. And we had been hoping for appointment of its chairman and members, so that a more transparent recruitment follows.
Although it will more or less ease the pressure on government departments with regard to recruitment in the lower grades, many top officials seems rather unhappy with the new arrangement, as it will take away their clout and authority in making appointments.
And of course, the ministers would also be unhappy. It has been a practice among top officials and ministers to favour candidates to their liking including their near and dear ones even a brother or sister or niece.
While the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) is tasked with recruitment of higher grades, it is not without its share of controversies and scandals in civil service competitive examination. The latest scandal was the 2016 civil service examination which was replete with cases of mark tampering and other misdemeanours, and it was only recently brought to a closure with a fresh examination. However, more than five years had been wasted with no civil service examination for the deserving youths of the state.
The main reason for such controversies and scandals could be political interference and the integrity of the chairman and its members who are appointed on the recommendation of the state government.
Many a times, political appointees have occupied the posts of chairman and members. It should not happen in the case of State Staff Selection Commission. The process of appointment to the posts of chairman and members should be transparent and above board. Candidates need to be vetted with a fine tooth-comb so as to avoid favouritism and nepotism in future.
Meanwhile, several department seems to have issued recruitment notices in a hurry which is seen as an effort to avoid the Staff Selection Commission.
Fire service department had issued notification for recruitment of 121 post on December 8, 2022 while department of Education (S) had issued notification for recruitment of 1000 primary teachers on October 17, 2022. DGP Manipur had also issued notification for recruitment of 136 number of follower male on October 17, 2022 and department of Education (S) issued notification for recruitment of 449 numbers of Hindi primary teachers.
Well then, what is the use of instituting the new commission? We understand, the state government is searching for the right candidate to man the commission and it certainly knows that no one will remain obligated once appointed. It must be worrisome.
