The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing allegations of engaging in opportunistic politics concerning the recruitment of government employees in Chhattisgarh. Sushil Anand Shukla, the head of the Pradesh Congress Communication Department, has asserted that the BJP is raising questions about the recruitment process, which has seen over 80,000 government job appointments in various departments over the past five years, to express its frustration. Shukla contends that the BJP is attempting to tarnish the image of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PCS), a reliable institution in the state, for its political gain.
Accusing the BJP of creating an atmosphere of confusion in the state by making baseless allegations against a credible institution relied upon by Chhattisgarh’s youth, Shukla emphasized that the Congress government has consistently prioritized the transparency, accountability, and impartiality of constitutional bodies, including the PCS. He argued that the state government has not interfered with the recruitment, examination, and selection processes, which have remained free from political influence.
Sushil Anand Shukla pointed out that the people of Chhattisgarh endured 15 years of misrule under the Raman Singh government, a period marked by corruption and scandals. During Raman Singh’s tenure, the PCS recruitment process was marred by irregularities, notably in the years 2003 and 2005. In 2003, allegations of corruption and tampering with the examination process led to a high court order to re-evaluate the examination results. The court found evidence of manipulation and ordered the re-evaluation and scaling of answer sheets, which resulted in a revised list of candidates. However, the Supreme Court later reinstated the original list, leading to ongoing legal disputes. The 2005 PCS recruitment case also faced legal challenges, with serious charges filed against all selected officers. The matter is still pending in court.
Shukla highlighted that during Raman Singh’s rule, the PCS recruitment process faced multiple setbacks, with only nine out of six PCS recruitments being successfully completed in 15 years. He accused the BJP of outsourcing government job opportunities to the youth and undermining their rights to secure regular positions. Now, with recruitment opportunities available under the Bhupesh government, Chhattisgarh’s youth are enthusiastic about securing government jobs. However, Shukla argued that the BJP is resorting to unfounded accusations to tarnish the reputation of constitutional institutions, such as the Chhattisgarh PCS, to further its political agenda.
These allegations have brought the focus on the credibility and fairness of competitive examinations in Chhattisgarh, with both major political parties engaging in a war of words over the recruitment process, leaving the aspirations of the state’s youth hanging in the balance.
