PANAJI
State governments across the country have been facing a credibility crisis with government job recruitments and Goa is no exception.
In the recent past, Goa has been shaken by several job scams involving politicians, senior officials and conmen. In the past few days, ‘cash for jobs’ has been making headlines in the State with at least five people arrested so far while police are looking out for the mastermind.
With opposition continuing to attack the government on what it called “growing irregularities” in the recruitment of government jobs, the Pramod Sawant-led government in 2021 implemented a significant reform -- Staff Selection Commission (SSC) that aimed at restoring credibility and transparency in the recruitment process.
Constituted through legislation, the Commission, from December 2023 till August 2024, has managed to issue advertisements to fill up close to 100 posts across various departments. Nearly 2,500 vacancies are expected to be filled through the Commission.
However, the recent political tussle between Chief Minister Sawant and his cabinet colleague Vishwajit Rane over the recruitment issue has raised doubt over the continuation of the reform process. As such, uncertainty looms over SSC as BJP central leadership has directed the CM to revert to department-level recruitment process -- a move that may not be welcomed across society.
While multiple high-level sources in the government confirmed that internal talks are ongoing to scrap SSC, the Chief Minister is of the view that it should be kept on hold for some time. But the latest ‘cash for job’ scam, has once again strengthened Sawant's claim for SSC -- which was his own brainchild.
According to sources, the Commission is directed, for now, not to issue any new advertisements to fill up the vacancies. The last advertisement was issued in August.
“In the current scenario, it is very important that we restore public confidence in the integrity of the recruitment process and only SSC can be the way out. If we scrap SSC at this point, the government will have to face the consequence,” a source associated with the Chief Minister's Office said.
Chief Minister Sawant too hinted at the continuation of the SSC process by stating that the government will soon begin issuing job advertisements through the SSC. He said that SSC-led recruitment will help curb the ‘cash for job’ scams. “SSC will ensure complete transparency in the recruitment process,” Sawant said.
The three-member Goa Staff Selection Commission was established by the Goa Staff Selection Commission Act, 2019. The Commission since December last year started issuing advertisements for appointments of various subordinate services/ posts (Group “C” posts) across various departments.
Though this legislative reform speaks about bringing much-needed transparency, the government has kept a provision in the Goa Staff Selection Commission Act wherein in case of a difference of opinion on recruitment between the departments and the Commission, the matter would be referred to the government for a final decision.
There is also a clause, wherein the government can pass orders, specifying the matters or particular class of cases or some circumstances; there the Commission may not be consulted while undertaking the recruitment.
In a recent notification, the government had directed the Commission to complete the recruitment process of group C posts, advertised before the 2022 election code of conduct, latest by October 31. Close to 1,000 posts were advertised just before the Assembly election dates were announced in 2022. However, a fresh amendment extending the time period is expected soon.
Commission's way of recruitment
Every Head of the Government Department intimates to the Commission about the number of vacancies for the sub-ordinate services/posts, including those anticipated in the year. The Commission then advertises the post and invites applications.
The Commission reserves the right to conduct a two-tier CBT examination in case the number of candidates for any post exceeds 1200. In the case of single-tier CBT (where the candidates are less than 1200), the syllabus and scheme of examination will be as mentioned in CBT-I. In case a two-tier CBT is held (where the candidates are more than 1200), the CBT-II exam shall be used for shortlisting/screening only. Thereafter, the selection of candidates will be made on the basis of marks obtained in the CBT III exam only.
The minimum passing marks for CBT is 45 per cent for the non-reserved seats, 40 per cent for candidates from Other Backward Class and Persons with Disability and 35 per cent for Schedule Tribe and Scheduled Caste categories.
GPSC revamp on cards
Criticized for lack of transparency and favouritism, the State government is considering bringing in yet another major reform in the recruitment process by aligning GPSC standards with those of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
These reforms, still under consideration, will improve the quality, transparency and credibility of GPSC examinations, held for appointing officers at State-level administrative positions. “This is what the CM is considering and he is in talks with key stakeholders. Nothing has been decided so far,” sources said.
