Silchar, Jan 23 : The appointment of a candidate in the rural development department in Mizoram has drawn flak from several quarters, especially the media, which has described the recruitment as “unfair and tainted”.
The Mizoram government has maintained a discreet silence over the issue.
The post in question is that of a state coordinator for the North East Rural Livelihood Project, a contractual assignment for five years with a fixed monthly remuneration of Rs 20,000 and an additional Rs 10,000 towards travel and phone.
Mary Jones Lallawmawmi, a post-graduate in social work from Mizoram Central University, landed this job after a screening, where the cut-off marks was 50 per cent and a written test.
Robert L. Hauhnar, a BCom and resident of Tuikhuahtlang in Aizawl, who also appeared for both the written test and the personal interview afterwards, alleged that he was denied the job though he topped the merit list. Mary Jones came fifth among 10 candidates.
Hauhnar alleged that rules were “flouted” during the recruitment. He also alleged that the rural development department had ignored the Mizoram Public Service Commission guidelines while conducting the examination,.
K. Riachho, an IAS officer and secretary in the department of the rural development department, made it clear that since this post is temporary, the public service commission rules were not applicable in this case.
Speaking over phone from Aizawl this morning, Riachho said during recruitment of a temporary employee, the eligibility of a candidate is determined on the basis of his or her general knowledge, English language capability, personality, intelligence, experience and other suitability criteria.
He said there was no deviation from the rules while choosing the right candidate for this job and added that Hauhnar was levelling “false charges”.
In Mizoram the job scene is bleak though the rate of literacy is over 91 per cent. So, it is no wonder that educated youths make a scramble for government jobs whenever a post is advertised.
According to an official report, there as many as 54,080 permanent or temporary government employees.
There’s an embargo on fresh recruitment because the government is strapped for cash.