Barred for not furnishing requisite documents: Exam Centre
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 23 2024: The exam centre at Mark Academy, Changangei has refuted allegations of unjustly barring a Persons with Disability (PwD) candidate from taking the first phase of the Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on October 21.Akoijam Marco, the head of the examination centre at Mark Academy, clarified that Khwairakpam Joykumar was not permitted to sit for the examination for not possessing the requisite documents.

"So, the allegations of barring him without a valid reason are baseless," Marco stated while addressing a press meet held at Thangjing Hall of Manipur Press Club on Wednesday.

Marco said that the MST examination was conducted by SSC with Mark Academy as the only examination centre, providing the necessary infrastructure and does not have the power to allow or disallow a candidate from appearing in the examination.

This power lies with the Board or the Commission, he stated.

He said that as an exam centre, the Academy will naturally abide by the guidelines of the Board or Commission.

However, candidate Joykumar not only arrived late at the centre, but did not possess requisite documents mandated by SSC for furnishing at the examination centre such as the disability certificate, original ID card, annexure-2 and educational qualification certificate.

Marco continued that in accordance with the guidelines, the gate of the examination centre was closed at 8.30 am that day.

Joykumar, on account of his PwD status, was allowed entry after the closing time.

However, he failed to produce the necessary documents and as such, was not allowed to sit for the examination.

All of these can be seen from the video footage of that day, reasoned the examination head.

He also pointed out that had the examination centre acted beyond the SSC guidelines, then all the candidates of the centre would be blacklisted.

Thus, Joykumar was not permitted to sit for the examination not because of his PwD status or discrimination, as alleged, he said.

The examination centre had always extended optimum services to PwD candidates in the past and will continue to do so in the future, provided it is within the guidelines, he affirmed.

Comment