About time viruses in health department are tracked

Representation pic. Pic/iStock

Why did the state government postpone at the eleventh hour the written examination for recruitments for 6,200 posts of group C and group D in the Health Department? Why were over eight lakh candidates left high and dry? The official reason states that the outsourced company was unable to make the necessary arrangements for the examination scheduled for September 25 and 26.

But, some in the government and Opposition do not agree with this official view. They say that the problem has been created by blacklisted companies that were awarded the contract. Some senior officials are being blamed for bringing tainted companies on board despite unfavourable reports.

The announcement to postpone the exams came right on the eve of the examinations, and became a source of embarrassment for the MVA government. It triggered a volley of questions over the hiring of private companies, and against politicians and bureaucrats involved in making the decision. The company was responsible for the entire recruitment process, except for setting the examination papers, which were to be made available by the health department. By the time the exam was put off, candidates had reached the cities they would be taking the exam from. Such was the mess created, that some candidates from Maharashtra were told to give the exams in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Some didn't get hall tickets. Candidates fumed and ranted against the decision and joined by political parties in the Opposition, they protested and raised slogans demanding compensation from the government.

Officially, it was said that the next date for the examination would be announced after full preparations were in place. The government statement blamed the outsourced firm Nyasa Communications Pvt Ltd for failing to make the necessary arrangements in due time. "The company informed us on September 24 at 7 pm of its inability to hold exams as scheduled," said the government. Public health minister Rajesh Tope, who wanted paramedics and other healthcare support staff recruited at the earliest in the wake of the pandemic, apologised to the candidates for the inconvenience. His apology did show his humane side. Now, the upset candidates want Tope to show his administrative skills by bringing those responsible to book, and also conduct exams as early as possible in a transparent manner. Tope, the state's face in the pandemic, cannot afford to get his carefully crafted image tainted by the ‘viruses' in his department.

Following the public outcry, the Opposition cried foul and demanded an inquiry into the touts' dubious role in the exam process. The allegations assumed a proportion of the now infamous Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh. Vyapam (Vyavasayik Pariksha Mandal) was an autonomous body put in service for holding 13 entrance and recruitment exams. The scam was unearthed in 2013. Subsequently, the involvement of several politicians, bureaucrats, racketeering leaders, middlemen, candidates and their parents was established in the scam. But, for us, it will be premature to compare it to Vyapam, because the allegations have not been verified and the role of the officials concerned in the health department haven't been probed yet.

The coordination committee for the recruitment exam for candidates - MPSC Samanvay Samiti - tweeted that the government did not have anything to do with issue. "Scams will happen if blacklisted companies are hired for such sensitive jobs. We have been demanding that these exams be conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC)," it added further. State Youth Congress president Satyajit Tambe endorsed the samiti, asking the CM to keep the IT Department on its toes, and only contract companies of global repute to conduct such exams.

Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said he had received calls from the candidates about the middlemen who have assured them jobs against a payment. "I'm told that the middlemen have promised a place in the merit list and a job for a hefty price of R5 lakh to R15 lakh. Who are these touts? The government must inquire," he said. It will be interesting to see whether the Opposition gets the allegations investigated, either by the state government or the Centre.

Shinde impact

Urban development minister Eknath Shinde's action against civic engineers in Thane should go a long way in orchestrating change. He held the technocrats, including two highly-placed executive engineers and deputy engineers, responsible for potholed roads. Following Shinde's inspection of roads that had created a mega traffic block last week, Thane civic chief Dr Vipin Sharma suspended the engineers. Shinde also formed a task force under the Thane Collector to keep the roads in Thane district in working order in the rainy season and otherwise. Can Shinde's action be replicated in Mumbai's all state-controlled infrastructure agencies, including the civic corporation as well?

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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