Shillong, July 30: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) sent letter to the Chairman, Meghalaya Public Service Commission, Shillong, Meghalaya, the Employment Monitoring Cell through this missive would like to express its dissatisfaction and put forward its rebuttal in regards to the clarification for MCS (Prelims) Examination made by the Commission to the Union and the public as large on the 26th of July, 2024.
In the letter the KSU stated in regards to the Meghalaya Civil Services, it was clarified that a petition was filed on the 25th of January, 2024 for submission of answer key and the same was furnished on the 6th of February, 2024. The Union would like to point out that, does the MPSC has a criterion for allowing the candidates to challenge the answer key.
If yes then why was the answer key not made public for candidates to challenge prior to the released of the prelims result and if no, then why did MPSC accept such a petition in the first place. Then, it was also clarified that based on the submission of the answer key, it was challenged that there were three wrong answers on it and the same was found to be true by the Commission.
So, if the original answers are faulty, and after being reviewed there are changes which led to the selection of the 62 candidates then it would also mean that the candidates who have been selected previously would have secured a wrong answer which should means that they may not be able to qualify the said written examination but there is no list of any candidates being deduce from the main examination. Also, there is bound to be changes in the cut-off marks but none is the case.
Also, based on the advertisement dated 18th July, 2023, it was mentioned in PARA 8 that “candidates who will be called to appear for the Main Examination shall not be more than 15 (fifteen) times the number of vacancies declared.” Thus, with the total of 35 vacancies advertised, total number of candidates to appear in the mains examinations should be 525 but now the number has risen up to 642 candidates making a mockery of the Commission own self-imposed rule.
The Commission must stop justifying its act of incompetency at the highest level and deny any facts of it not deviating from the normal process, because it is utmost clear that the process of conducting the examination has deviated and the Commission failed to handled it responsibly and with that the allegations of nepotism and favouritism goes hand in hand.
The Union does not blame any of the candidates, but it is the Commission to reconcile for the wrongs. Thus, the Union in this regard strongly recommend and demand that marks of all the candidates must be made public (selected and unselected candidates) for transparency and ensuring the faith of the public at large towards the Commission.
Excuses such as privacy cannot be entertained, as this is an extra-ordinary circumstance and the Commission should make amends. Also, the Union opined that independent inquiry maybe made in this regard. Secondly, in regards to the results of the Meghalaya Police Service published on the 25th of July, 2024, twenty-seven candidates are seen to be selected for personal interview.
But based on the advertisement dated 2nd August, 2019 in PARA 8 Clause V(e) it is clearly mentioned that the variation for selection of candidates for personal interview is 1:10 to 1:2.5. So, with 17 posts advertised, the minimum number of candidates to be selected for the personal interview should be 42 or 43 (based on 1:2.5).
So, it is not clear in this instance as to why will there be less candidates for the personal interview and as to why would the Commission deviate from its normal process of recruitment. Based on the advertisement, there is no marks ceiling or cut-off marks/ pass marks for the main examination, hence, the Union fail to understand why will there be less candidates.
Thus, the Union would like to seek justification as to where are the other missing candidates who should have been a part of the personal interview since only 27 candidates are selected. Thirdly, the Union in its letter bearing Ref.No KSU/CEC/EMC/13 letter dated 08.07.2024 and KSU/CEC/EMC/15 dated 09.07.2024 had seek clarification from the Commission in regards to the post of Statistical Officer under A.H & Veterinary Department.
That, based on the advertisement, there was only 1 (one) post which was advertised for ‘Statistical Officer’, which was reaffirmed again on the Corrigendum dated 14th September, 2022 after the implementation of the roster system and based on the said corrigendum, it was shown that the said post belongs to Khasi-Jaintia category.
But the Notification dated 27th June, 2024 declares the result of candidates who had successfully cleared the personal interview, it was seen that 2 (two) candidates were selected for the said post, one belonging to Khasi-Jaintia category and the other in Garo category which is in contradiction to the original advertisement.
Thus, the Union demand that; Marks of the MCS (Prelims) Examinations should published and independent inquiry may be made; Clarification to be made in regards to the missing candidates as per the ratio for personal interview of MPS and if found faulty, the Commission should immediately rectify the errors and call upon more qualified candidates that should have been called for the personal interview of MPS as based in the advertisement.
The Justification to be given for selecting 2 candidates for the post of statistical officer which was basically for 1 (one) candidate under A.H & Veterinary Department and immediate cancellation of the result of the other candidate, if found fault.
The Union appeals that the above-mentioned demands are to be met within 48 hours, failing to which the Union shall take prompt action. Your positive response would be highly appreciated by the Union. Mr. Reuben Najiar Chairman and Mr. Manly Nongpluh Secretary Employment Monitoring Cell Employment Monitoring Cell Khasi Students’ Union Khasi Students’ Unio
