On the basis of the merit of a complaint filed in the Commission by Ab.Wahid of Galhar (Nagseni), district Kishtwar and the enquiry report regarding selection of drivers under NRHM in Kishtwar district, the State Vigilance Commission has recommended to the Government to dispense with the interview system for selection in non-gazetted category of posts so that meritorious and deserving candidates are selected in fair and transparent manner as per their merit and knowledge.
This decision was taken at a meeting of the Commission held here under the chair of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner while examining the complaint of Ab. Wahid and the enquiry report submitted by the Enquiry Officer (Administrator, Associated Hospital, Jammu) appointed for the purpose.
As per the history of the case, Vice Chairman (CMO) , District Health Society, Kishtwar advertised posts under NRHM including drivers. On making public the selection list, one of the candidates Ab.Wahid challenged the selection of Tariq Parvez and alleged that CMO demanded a bribe of Rs. 50,000 for selection, which he did not pay and therefore did not get selected.
To assess the merit of the case, the Commission got the matter enquired by Administrator Associated Hospital, Jammu, as Inquiry Officer, appointed by the Government on March 1, 2016, who submitted her final enquiry report on June 28, 2016.
The Commission while examining the report found certain starling discrepancies in gauging the efficiency and technical knowledge of a candidate (Ab.Wahid) by one of the Board Members (CMO, Kishtwar).
As per the enquiry report, the marks awarded in the interview held by members of the Selection Committee, except Dr Sham Prasad (CMO), reveals that there is not much variation in awarding marks to the different candidates. All other three members had awarded reasonably high marks to complainant Ab Wahid while Dr Prasad had awarded 4 marks to him and 19 marks to Tariq Parvez (selectee) out of 20.
The report further reveals that by calculating marks awarded by the three members, the complainant Ab.Wahid was scoring 14 marks more than selected candidate Tariq Parvez, However, the 4th member Dr Sham Prasad though being a non technical member awarded 4 marks to Ab. Wahid (complainant) and 19 marks to the Tariq Parvez (selectee) out or 20 marks thereby not only covering his deficiency of 14 marks but ensuring that the selectee gets one mark more than the complainant, which prima facie reveals that Dr Prasad has not acted in fair and bona fide manner while discharging his duties as member of the interview committee.
In light of the enquiry report, the Commission recommended to Government for initiating regular department enquiry against the Dr. Sham Prasad, then CMO, Kishtwar, and conduct the selection afresh in a transparent manner for the post of driver. The Commission also recommended to abolish oral interviews for all non-gazetted posts and instead test the knowledge of applicants through multiple choice questions (MCQ) written test to ensure fair and transparent selection.
(CNS)