Grill and verify the messy process for appointment of 1500 primary teachers

Dr Holngam Shimray *

There must and should have some measuring scale as a yard stick or criteria with terms of reference etc. as per relevant advertisement and recruitment rules of the Govt. in its statutory process for appointment of about 1500 Primary Teachers, including 50 Hindi Graduate Teachers.

The exact marks obtained individually by the 5322 successful candidates as per declared Written Test result, in order of merit should be published in white paper to ensure maintain crystal-clear transparency in its process for appointment. In the said examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education under the guidance of the Directorate of Education (S), Govt. of Manipur on 22nd December 2006 openly, and secretly, on 10th January, 2007 and 28th January, 2007 for which the result was declared on 16th April, 2007. Subsequently Viva-voce was conducted from 6111 February, 2009 upto the last week of October, 2009.

Out of 58,685 appeared, only 5322 were declared successful and qualified. Education Directorate (S) had collected Rs. 21,47,800 as Examination and application fee etc. from the aspiring candidates. In the original advertisement there were about 1800 vacant positions of Primary Teachers.

Everybody gets surprised to know the so-called recommended list of 1413 (including Waiting list) candidate's names were published in Hueiyen Lanpao Daily (both in Manipuri and English edition) from 24th to 30th of June, 2010, consecutively for 7 days under the signature and issuance of order of Shri M. Harekrishna, Director of Education (S) dated, 22nd April, 2010 after a lapse of about 4 years, counting from the date of advertisement and its initial necessary process etc.

It is fantastic and vulnerable to confirm that some dummy candidates are found in the said recommended list, who had not been declared successful in the Written Test Examination under reference. This is the height of corruption, nepotism and arbitrary manipulation at high places in Manipur.

This is not a myth, and it is happening in reality. One cannot imagine that impossible untoward happenings are made possible, through bribery and corruption. Facts are twisted through manipulation, by way of confiscating and depriving, the justified rights of the talented/ promising candidates, in violation of Fundamental Human Rights in Manipur.

When the appointing authorities are so corrupt and sub-standard, there is every apprehension/suspicion of mark-tampering of some candidates to meet the vested interests of some VVIP's during the long period of 4 years, as had been detected by the Das Commission in connection with MCS/MPS Examination conducted by the MPSC some 20 years ago.

He should know that all appointments are to be made on the merit basis of the result of the Written Test Examination, as have so far been done by the UPSC and other State Service Commissions applicable and admissible for all Competitive Examinations like IAS/IFS/IPS and MCS/MPS/SDC/MFS etc.

Everybody is aware that corruption at high places is letting loose "the reign of terror" in Manipur. That is why the cream of the future generation of Manipur (who are very promising with high caliber/talents but could not afford to pay bribes through unfair means) have a tendency to join en-mass the UG outfits out of frustration/dejection in a helpless condition, under compelling circumstances. They join the insurgent and terrorist groups for want of justice and for eradication of corruption at high places.

Needless to say- Education Department is not only the worst Department of corruption and bribery, but also all the other Departments under Manipur Govt, are infested with corruption and bribery in matters of recruitment and promotions.

Merit cum performance stands nowhere. All posts are auction-sale and the highest bidders are selected and appointed in Manipur., as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice did. Advertisements of vacant positions and processes for physical tests, viva-voce and written test are nothing but an eye-wash before the eyes of the public.

Why preparation and finalization /updating of MGEL list could not be completed for the last five years or so, and also, why the serious cases of pay anomaly of Govt. employees could not be rectified as on date by this corrupt Govt?

The Education Minister and the Director of Education should not be spared either.

Why merit result of the Written Test was kept suppressed and abandoned as if it is an unaccountable criteria and how some mock and dummy candidates who were not candidates in the said Written Test Examination are inserted in the recommended list?

These are the questions answerable by the Government of Manipur. Are they maintaining the quality and sanctity of Education in Manipur?