The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today distributed pamphlets listing the 20 points that have been put forward by the pressure group to ostensibly bring about fair and transparent recruitment in the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC).
According to the KSU, the recruitment process in Meghalaya over the years has been filled with irregularities and nepotism, which has sparked outrage among the youths.
“The MPSC, which is supposed to be a beacon of hope for fair and impartial recruitment, has turned into a hub of discrimination, corruption, nepotism and strives only to serve certain influential segments of society with political ties and strong financial backgrounds,” it stated.
The KSU had submitted its charter of demands on August 21 to the Chief Minister.
“Although a few MLAs had addressed these issues (in the Assembly) there was no definite resolution that had been passed by the house,” the KSU said.
The KSU wants appointment of sufficiently qualified Chairman and Members of the Commission with no political affiliations.
The union also said that there should be an annual declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants, which will be a key tool in combating corruption.
The union also wants applicants to be domiciles of Meghalaya with a knowledge of the Khasi or Garo languages.
Other demands include regular and annual job exams to aid in preparation, public disclosure of marks, completion of the recruitment process within six months from the date of advertisement, abolition of personal interview for Grades B, C and D jobs, personal interview of Grade A jobs recorded on video for transparency, the maintenance of a high degree of confidentiality of question papers, creation of a grievances cell within the MPSC, to give Meghalaya its own cadre by splitting the existing Assam-Meghalaya cadre and computer-based tests.
The KSU wants these changes made not just to the MPSC but also at the District Selection Committee level and for other recruitment bodies.