MPSC civil service exam row MLAs demand review of eligibility criteria
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 14 2016: Oinam AC MLA Dr I Ibohalbi has said that the alleged loophole in the eligibility criteria of State civil services examination may lead to serious consequences if it is not rectified at the earliest.

Speaking to reporters at his official residence today, the MLA said that as the demand for protection of indigenous people is still very much alive in the State, the issue needs timely intervention and attention before it leads to unwanted ramifications.

He said that working knowledge of Oriya is mandatory for appearing in the Odisha civil services examination while reading and writing knowledge of Bengali is compulsory in West Bengal as well.

In Gujarat, every candidate has to undergo a test of 200 marks in the mains examination of Gujarat civil services, he said.

The MLA further said that 80 per cent of the seats are reserved for the State natives in Nagaland as well.

Understanding of their official languages are compul- sory in Sikkim and Mizoram as well, he said.

On the other hand, over 14,000 'outsiders' have applied for the Manipur civil services examination as there is no such criteria in Manipur making every citizen of the country eligible for the examination, he said.

The MLA opined that there must be a strict guideline wherein possession of State domicile certificate must be made mandatory.

He further said that every candidate must be able to speak and write Manipuri and must be enrolled in the employment exchange of the State as well.

If there is no such criteria, it would be better to entrust UPSC for holding the Manipur civil services examination as instituting MPSC would not serve any purpose at all, he said.

Speaking at another occasion, RK Anand said that on account of MPSC's open invitation to all citizens of India, thousands of non-local candidates have applied for the exam.

This open invitation goes against the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly for protection of indigenous people.

MLA N Biren who was also present at the meeting expressed astonishment over allowing non-local people to appear exams conducted by MPSC.

MPSC's eligibility criteria which is allegedly aimed at subjugating indigenous people should be reviewed, he urged.

RK Imo observed that MPSC must look into the points raised by a students' body.

Preference must be given to State natives, he said.

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