State civil service aspirants protest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 16 2016: Manipur Civil Services examination aspirants today staged a sit-in-protest demanding rectifica- tion/modification of the eligibility criteria of the examination at Keishampat Lairembi community hall.

The protest was held under the banner of JAC for the Rectification of Eligibility Criteria to Protect the 'Sons of the Soil' .

JAC convenor Longjam Tony Angom said that domicile status and language understanding are strictly mentioned in the eligibility criteria of State civil service examinations of other States.

However, there is no such guideline in the State and any Indian citizen who is a Graduate is eligible for the Manipur Civil Services examination if his/her age is within the age limit notified in the advertisement.

This loophole in the eligibility criteria has sparked controversy as more than 18,000 'outsiders' (non-domiciled candidates) have submitted online applications for the preliminary examination scheduled for February 28, Tony said.

Outsiders would always have an edge over State aspirants as they generally prepare for UPSC examinations at different cities where study materials and other resources are available aplenty, he said and added that the Government must acknowledge the simple fact that even The Hindu newspaper reaches the State capital in the evening or the next day.

As such, the Government and MPSC must develop a guideline in favour of the State natives by rectifying/modifying the current eligibility criteria, he said.

Tony said that the protest would continue until MPSC issues an official notification on its website regarding the matter.

The Congress Legislators Party (CLP) meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi had decided to rectify the eligibility criteria given by MPSC for Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Exami- nation yesterday.

Observing that the existing eligibility criteria of MPSC need rectification/modification, the CLP members decided to abort the ongoing examination process and initiate a fresh one.

It was also resolved in the meeting that advertisement issued for the civil service exam would remain invalid until further notice.

Meanwhile, Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination 2015 .

A notification issued by MPSC Secretary Shyam Lal Poonia informed to all concerned that the Commission's advertisement No 5/2015 dated 29/12/2015 has been cancelled.

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