Date:18/07/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/07/18/stories/2002071800581003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Recruitment scams

Sir, — The arrest of the former Maharashtra Public Service Commission Chairman, S.D. Karnik, raises serious questions about the manner of functioning of the State Public Service Commissions. Soon after the scam in the Punjab Service Commission came to light, a senior IAS officer in Tamil Nadu, while speaking at an SC/ST conference, reportedly questioned the functioning of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.

Many PSCs announce the final results and not the marks awarded to candidates. Some PSCs even reverse the results announced. Transparency is lacking even in the functioning of the UPSC. In the Civil Services Preliminary Examination in which about four lakh candidates appear every year, the UPSC does not announce the marks obtained by the candidates. The mode of selection is not revealed at all.

It is time Article 315 of the Constitution which provides for State PSCs is amended in a suitable manner to streamline their functioning. Conducting examinations regularly, announcing the results promptly and most importantly making the whole process transparent, should be made a constitutional obligation.

V. Balasubramanian,

Porayar, T.N.