The Manohar Parrikar government had appointed Dr Jayram Madhukar Desai as a Veterinary officer in contravention to the Recruitment rules. This has been revealed in information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services through an advertisement issued on 5th September last year called for applications to fill the post of 17 veterinary officers on contract basis at a consolidated salary of Rs 30,800 per month. The essential requirement for the post was 15 years residence in Goa. On 27th September which was the last date for submitting applications, Dr Jayram Madhukar Desai applied for the post. As per the records with his application he submitted only a 5 year residence certificate issued by the Mamlatdar of Quepem. Despite not complying with the mandatory 15 year residence requirement, by an order dated 5th December Dr. Jayram Desai was appointed as Veterinary officer of Veterinary Dispensary at Netravali. Interestingly as per the file notings Dr Jayram Desai was one amogst the eight selected by a four member interview committee which met on 12thNovember and had verified all the documents submitted by the candidates. After the illegality came to light Dr Jayram Desai by a letter dated 20thJanuary this year tendered his resignation while requesting that it be accepted with immediate effect citing unforeseen circumstances and sickness of his parents and that he has to be all the time close to his father who is old and not in good health. Dr Desai was relieved from his duties at Netravali Veterinary dispensary the very same day. As per the file notings after Dr Jayram Desai was already relieved, in an obvious governmental cover up the Deputy Director Administration Tushar Halarnkar on 23rd January moved a note recommending cancellation of the appointment stating that on minute examination of the documents it had transpired that Dr Jayram Desai did not fulfill the condition of the recruitment rules requiring 15 years residence. The Minister of Animal Husbandry Laxmikant Parsekar on 30th January noted “It is surprising to note that a candidate who did not have adequate residential certificate was interviewed, selected and order of appointment was also issued. This is negligence on the part of the officers and embarrassment to the Government. As such the CM may advise”. As per the file notings Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar without ordering action against the departmental officials merely noted “Examine and propose the correct procedure to cancel the appointment. The Dr Jayram Desai episode only exposes how nepotism continues in government recruitment. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who had been accusing the earlier government of malpractices in recruitment has to now concede that the bending and breaking of recruitment rules still continues. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
