Imphal, March 02: Reiterating its earlier stand, the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi urging him to relax the upper age limit of the candidates for the forthcoming MCS/MPS and allied services to be conducted by the MPSC from August 3. Putting its case in lucid terms, the student body said that the recruitment examination for Manipur Civil Services, Manipur Police Service and allied services has not been conducted regularly and that only two examinations were conducted in the last 15 years.

The student body also pointed out that in the last 35 years, the MPSC has conducted only 7 examinations to recruit MCS/MPS officers with the last exam conducted in 2005.In all the examinations held so far, the upper age limit for general category was 35, 38 for OBC and 40 for ST/SC.

In fact the upper age limit for general categories in many States of India is 35 with admissible relaxations, pointed out DESAM.

Giving a true picture of the academic atmosphere in the State, DESAM said that a student general takes 4/5 years to complete his/her degree course, thanks to the academic calendar, and by the time of graduation the student has already attained the age of 26. Job opportunities are limited in Manipur, said the memorandum and added that Govt employment is the only option for many educated, unemployed youth.

However restricting the upper age limit to 30 would rob many of the opportunity, it asserted.

Keeping in view the facts and figures, DESAM urged the Chief Minister to relax the upper age limit for social justice and added that despite their earnest appeal, MPSC is still issuing the application forms.

Making its stand clear, the student body said that is necessary step is not taken then they would be constrained to start democratic movements and agitations and the Government should be held responsible for any outcome.

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