T’puram: Amid reports of irregularities in the selection of candidates for temporary posts in govt/public sector units, state govt issued instructions to department heads and PSU chiefs to report vacancies to the public service commission (PSC) within three weeks. Govt is also considering measures to act on complaints against PSC over the selection of candidates to certain posts, especially during the past five years.A letter from the personnel and administrative reforms department asked HODs to take action against officials who fail to report vacancies on time. Govt is yet to decide on how to deal with the complaints against PSC. Earlier, govt forwarded such complaints to PSC. However, govt has limitations in taking action because PSC is a constitutional body.Job applicants and members of the public alleged that PSC neglected their complaints. They further alleged that complaints submitted physically at PSC headquarters or online met the same fate. Since PSC recently denied public access to the e-file system, there is no option to track file movement in PSC.Following complaints that PSC had prepared the rank list for certain posts in state planning board without evaluating a number of answers, PSC recently cancelled the rank list and advice memos. Allegations also surfaced over the research officer test in the economics and statistics department. The exam meant for postgraduates had Plus Two-level questions. Some applicants alleged that the question paper was prepared in such a way that the answer to most questions was option B.Meanwhile, Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) asked the govt to order a vigilance inquiry into the complaints against PSC. SUCC wanted the govt to probe the financial status of PSC members. SFI activists in Kufos got undue preference in the fisheries extension officer exam. Of the 44 appointments, 38 candidates were SFI activists, it added.It also noted allegations of irregularities in the exams for chief industrial and infrastructure officer in the planning board, assistant information officer, deputy SP (special recruitment), assistant professor in law colleges, KAS and university PRO.
