There had always been allegations that some officials were always inclined to get people from out side the states employed in state government jobs in even lower positions using ignorance or negligence of the political executives. The officials concerned would either drop or include, as per their convenience, some important part / clause of the recruitment notices so that they remained open for application from any part of the country. While it was not wrong for higher and some specific services , it was found that even for a middle level and lower level government employment in Tripura recruitment notices were ‘modified’ for outsiders. Fact remains in other states only the locals were always and only eligible for similar posts there. In fact, for such a ‘modification in relevant clauses’ by the official concerned the Tripura government was put in a catch 22 in recruitment of some departments and was buying time in absence of any way out in sight.
On Monday Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman picked up a similar initiative and made a representation to the Chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC), Anil Rastogi.
Roy Barman who was accompanied by former MLA Asish Saha submitted a deputation to the TPSC Chairman, highlighting alleged irregularities in a recent job notification issued by the commission. The deputation demanded the inclusion of mandatory provisions for PRTC and knowledge of local languages, Kokborok and Bengali, as eligibility criteria for all examinations conducted under TPSC. The MLA ostensibly wanted these clauses to be included to make only the state’s youths eligible for the post.
The MLA drew attention to the advertisement number 18/2022 for the recruitment of Agricultural Officers in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Tripura. Barman expressed his astonishment at the absence of requirements pertaining to PRTC and knowledge of Bengali or Kokborok as eligibility criteria in the aforementioned advertisement.
In his letter addressed to the Chairman of TPSC, Roy Barman stated, “I would like to point out the gross irregularity in your Advt. No. 18/2022 for recruitment to the post of Agriculture Officer, TAFS, Gr-1, Group-B, Gazetted under the department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of Tripura in the scale of Pay of Rs. 10,230-34,800/- with GP Rs. 4,800/- and pay level 13 of Tripura State Pay Matrix, 2018.”
He further highlighted the contrasting scenario in another job notification, Advt. No. 02/2023, for the post of Veterinary Officer (TVS, Gr- V) (Group-B, Gazetted), which also falls under the same pay scale as that of the Agriculture Officer. Roy Barman pointed out that in this particular notification, TPSC had included the requirement of PRTC with knowledge of Bengali or Kokborok as an eligibility criterion.
The MLA further highlighted that a candidate had notified the TPSC Secretary about the mistake on January 20, 2023, but the necessary amendment was not made.
Responding to the concerns raised, TPSC Chairman Anil Rastogi reportedly informed the delegation that the commission itself does not formulate rules, as they are prepared by various departments according to their respective requirements.
Speaking on the issue of the mandatory PRTC criteria, Roy Barman emphasized, “In the entire country, there is no state where unemployed people from outside the state are allowed to appear for Group C and Group D posts. The same must be made a mandatory recruitment rule for Tripura as well.”
However, the Chairman assured the delegation that he would discuss the issue of conflicting job notifications with the concerned authorities.
