AASU slams government for 'failure' to check corruption

LAKHIMPUR: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has slammed the Sarbananda Sonowal-led State Government alleging 'extreme failure' in checking massive corruption that took place during the appointment process in the State in order to provide employment to lakhs of unemployed youths. Of late, the machinery of the State Government has failed to hold the examination for the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors (SI) in the State Police force.

Regarding the issue, the Lakhimpur district unit of the AASU burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday at the Main Chariali of North Lakhimpur town, condemning the dereliction on the part of the State machinery with regard to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the educated unemployed youths by holding the recruitment process in a fair manner.

Expressing vehement resentment over the issue, while leading the protest programme, Lakhimpur AASU president Pulokjyoti Borah and general secretary Dhanmoni Dutta said that the people of the State had observed the shallow nature of the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal-led State Government which reiterated the slogan of transparent governance and zero tolerance against corruption.

"Anomalies in the written examination, leakage of question papers and illegal examination in some hotels and lodges for a section of candidates took place during the recruitment process undertaken by the department which is under the control of the Chief Minister. Under such circumstances, the genuine candidates, who prepared hard with sincerity, have lost heart because of a section of corrupt officers and political leaders. The leakage of question paper and its sale took place under the patronage of a section of BJP leaders," stated the Lakhimpur AASU president and general secretary through a press communique.

They further added that the result of a number of recruitment examinations had not been declared in the State because of various anomalies. "The State Government could not hold the appointment process for the recruitment examination which was held even in 2018. Anomalies and irregularities took place while conducting the recruitment examinations of various departments, but mere farce had been staged in the name of launching due probe into the alleged complaints and issues. Appointment letters have not been issued for around 2,000 posts in the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) even after holding of the examination in 2019. The fate of the anomalous examination held for the recruitment of 646 personnel in the Irrigation department is still hanging in the balance. No appointment was held in the Foreigners Tribunals. These are nothing but the crystal clear instances of the State Government's failure with regard to holding the recruitment process in the State in a free and fair manner," added Pulokjyoti Borah and Dhanmoni Dutta.

By burning the Chief Minister's effigy on Thursday, Lakhimpur AASU demanded to reward exemplary punishment to those who were involved in the SI recruitment exam anomalies. By staging the same protest, the organization demanded punishment to the culprits involved in the irregularities that took place in the recruitment examination held by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department too.

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