Unsealed question papers seal fates of many

Unsealed question papers seal fates of many

GUWAHATI, May 21: Unsealed question papers for the written examinations of various posts in the State Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department have sealed many candidates’ fates.

The department is in a tight spot after rampant irregularities were reported in the examination conducted on Sunday for the recruitment of 945 posts.

The crux of the problem lied in the fact that the questioned papers for the examinations, according to sources, were not sealed. “Normally, it is the candidates who should open the seal of the question paper. But yesterday’s examination, the question papers were open, making them vulnerable to leaks,” the sources said.

While there were reports of shortage of question papers in some centres, the paper was also leaked in whatsapp at some places.

P&RD commissioner JB Ekka said on Monday that there was a report of question paper shortage at a centre in Rangiya. But the question papers were made available in about an hour’s time. “Those who couldn’t take the examination were agitated, forcing the in-charge of the centre to cancel the examination. Of the 500 candidates, 280 could take the examination at the centre,” he said.

The commissioner also admitted reports of candidates taking mobile phones inside the centres at some places. “We have caught a number of them,” Ekka said. When asked if the government was mulling cancelling the examinations, Ekka said, “We’re taking reports from the centres. We will take a call later.”

Meanwhile, Dhubri police on Monday arrested two persons for their alleged role in leaking question papers of recruitment examination. Additional Superintendent of Police G Deka said that the duo — Rupali Saha and Sabira Khatun — were arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the in-charge of the examination centre at Bidyapara Boys’ Higher Secondary School of Dhubri town. Nearly two lakh candidates appeared in the examinationss conducted for 945 posts of extension officer, junior assistant (HQ), Gram Sevak & Gram Sevika, Gaon Panchayat Secretary & Tax Collector- cum-Road Mohorar. The examination was outsourced to a Tamil Nadu-based firm – Bloom Electronics.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, P&RD Minister Naba Kumar Doley said: “There won’t be any re-examination. The shortage of paper at the Rangiya HS School centre of the examination will be inquired. Twenty candidates were expelled for using mobile phones. The mobile phones of 23 other candidates were seized in the examination was outsourced to the firm that conducted it through tendering. We’re going to make the recruitment process a transparent one.”

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