To ensure transparency in the recruitment, the Goa Government had in 2019 set up a three member Staff Selection Commission. The commission was set up by the state government to allow recruitment for all posts in ‘C’ and ‘D’ categories in a very transparent manner and without any political influence.
With an eye on the 2022 Assembly elections the government proposes to recruit for over 10,000 posts. In yet another retrograde move the government now wants to amend the Staff Selection Commission Act so that the government departments themselves conduct examinations and select candidates for the posts. With this proposed amendment, the Staff Selection Commission will become toothless and redundant while defeating the very objective of ushering the much needed transparency in the selection process. Over the last few years thousands have been brazenly recruited into government service with merit thrown to the winds. It has been a deceitful attempt to create a vote bank while almost all jobs have been dished away to those without merit. All this is reflecting in the functioning of the government offices with very incompetent staff having managed to creep in with the blessings of their political god fathers. Any political or other interference and manipulation in the selection of employees is unacceptable. Infact the selection, promotion and transfer of all employees should be totally insulated from any political or other machinations whatsoever. It should be all strictly on merit and merit alone should be the sole criteria in the selection and appointment of every employee to any post. As government employees are paid by the State Exchequer, the public is entitled to have the best and brightest to serve them. There also has to be a very robust mechanism in place to check the authenticity of educational and other certificates submitted by candidates aspiring for jobs. The sad tale last year of how the Deputy Speaker’s son was trying to sneak in as Awal Karkun should never repeat again. The Civil and public service must always be of the highest caliber and truly independent, defending its neutrality and impartiality while not used or abused according to the whims of the political bosses. This is vital for good governance if the public who are the real paymasters are to have any faith and trust in the civil service and feel that they are getting value for money and a good return on taxes they pay. The bureaucracy in Goa cannot be acting as caged parrots of the politicians in Power. . Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
