Assam Public Service Commission Chairman (Incharge) Brig (retd) Ranjit Borthakur today said the Commission would conduct some of the examinations and interviews which "we had to postpone because of reasons beyond our control".
"Our immediate job at hand is to conduct some of the examinations and interviews which we had to postpone because of reasons beyond our control. Similarly, results of some examinations had to be postponed due to the present turmoil", Borhakur told a press meet here.
Borthakur, who was a member of the APSC, was appointed as the Chairman (Incharge) of the Commission yesterday by the state government following the arrest of his predecessor Rakesh Paul on November 4 last.
"In many cases we will have to seek legal advice as well as seek opinion and advice from the state government. I have sought a meeting with the Chief Minister this evening and will take advice from him", he said.
Explaining the exam procedure conducted by the APSC for government jobs, he said, for some posts written and oral marks are added, while in case of direct recruitment the candidates are chosen through interviews and then screening test if there are a lost of applicants.
Stating the pending screening tests for various posts would be conducted soon, he said pending oral test for 786 medical and health officials will be conducted in the next 15 days as there is shortage of these professionals in the state.
Immediately the APSC can also send recommendations for appointment of those who took exam for school teachers jobs for which the Commission will, however, seek the advice of the government, the Chairman said.
"Our computers and servers have been seized by police (during the cash-for-job scam) investigations. So we are unable to issue admit cards, etc. We will take the Chief Secretary's advice on it and see if we can use a nearby government server for the purpose", he said.
Following the arrest of APSC Chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul, two members Samedur Rahman and Basanta Kumar Doley, Assistant Controller of Examinations Pabitra Kaibarta and another official were arrested in connection with alleged corruption in the organisation.
(REOPEN ERG2)
The new Chairman also said that during the very
difficult phase APSC has been going through for over a month he has been given a big responsibility by the government.
"It is a big challenge and I will try my best to bring back the past glory of the Commission. Whatever credit it has earned in the past seems to have eroded with the negative developments in the recent past", Borthakur said.
"Ninty to 95 per cent of the people in the APSC are good. People should not have negative feelings but keep their trust in us and the old glory will be brought back", the new Chairman insisted.
On corruption, he said, "in a meeting yesterday I told the APSC staff that corruption will not be tolerated. If any one is found to indulge in it there will departmental enquiry followed by police enquiry".
Asked if he had differences with Rakesh Paul, Borthakur said, "professional differences were there. I had written letter to him disagreeing with him on violation of mandated procedural matters. But I did not know about corruption involving cash for money".
Stating the Commission is duty bound to implement all the directions given by the Chief Minister, including use of CCTV during interviews, Borthakur said the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Personnel) have offered necessary help to ensure that the Commission can carry out assigned task.
