Rongara-Siju MLA Rakkam Sangma has rubbished accusations of nepotism after paper on his office letterhead appeared with the names of candidates recommended for jobs under the purview of the District Selection Committee.
A photo of the list of names was shared on social media and went viral. It was alleged that Rakkam had recommended these persons for government jobs in a case of nepotism. Social activist Greneth Sangma claimed that all the candidates whose names appeared on the list have been given jobs through the DSC.
“This is a political stunt and has nothing to do with me. If I had recommended these candidates, I would have addressed it to someone like the DSC chairman or the DC (Deputy Commissioner),” Rakkam said when contacted on the matter. “It does not even have my signature. It could be that someone stole one of my pads and used it to defame me.” The MLA added that some of the jobs listed had not even been advertised and that the selection process was not complete.
Rakkam, however, said he was not interested in filing a police complaint, for now.
“When I called him he said that would file a FIR on the matter as it is a case of political manipulation but I have proof that it is not. I will submit the proof if an FIR is filed. We have to remove such kinds of corruption from the system. Candidates who deserve the job through their hard work should be given the jobs, not stooges of political parties,” said Greneth when contacted.
Greneth alleged that one of the candidates selected had a typing speed of only 13 works per minute but was still given the job. The results of the others were also similar, he added.
Earlier, claims of nepotism were doing the rounds immediately after the interview process was completed, with rumours that manipulation ensured that candidates with political links were being given preference. Interviews for the posts were held in 2019.
A Right to Information (RTI) request on the selection has been filed by two candidates who appeared for the DSC application process and they are in the process of taking the matter to court.
