Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought details of the process of recruitment of senior advisors and advisors in several departments of the state government, saying he has inputs that the apparatus has “all the traps of increasing favoritism and patronage.”
Recently, the state government advertised seeking applications from professionals and retired professionals for lateral entry as Senior Consultants and Consultants for 50 posts in various departments. The age limit is 35-70 years.
“The Governor of West Bengal Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought details from CS @MamataOfficial regarding the meritocracy and modalities for engagement of Senior Advisors/Advisors in view of worrying inputs which indicate that the mechanism is opaque and involves bias and patronage. is an extension.” The governor tweeted on Tuesday. The Governor also attached the excerpts of a letter sent to the State Government in this regard.
“This refers to the notifications regarding engagement of Senior Consultants/Consultants published by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms on November 26, 2021.
Serious issues have been raised from several quarters regarding the matter regarding lack of transparency, accountability and modalities in the selection process of these consultants…” the letter read.
“The mechanism provided in the said notifications is opaque and disregards judicial pronouncements. There is widespread apprehension that administrations by such mechanisms are sought to be packed by “protection appointments”. There are some worrisome inputs which do not need to be pointed out at the moment,” the letter said.
‘Prescription for mode of selection. The notification reads: “G. Mode of Selection: Candidates will be selected through personality test. It may also be noted that in case the number of candidates is more, the State Government may, for the purpose of interview, shortlist the candidates on the basis of merit, areas of specialization and experience of the candidate, including the discharge of duties. Nature, type of exposure, awards won and such other criteria as may be deemed appropriate in the context of the need of the particular assignment. The decision of the authority in this regard will be final and binding,” the letter highlighted.
“The announced selection mechanism is prima facie subjective, sketchy and arbitrary and does not appear to be fair, just due to absence of specific details relating to it in the public domain,” the governor said in the letter.
“The governor is trying to do things that are not within his purview. He keeps on speaking on some issue every day. He is doing this for publicity. The state government is taking advisories as per law,” said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
,