THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj June 16: Around five or six dozen people in two batches on Monday protested against the submission of the applications in due format for the post of fourth-grade personnel in various offices in Palamu district. There are 585 vacant posts out of which more than 300 posts are reserved.
The protesters looked confused themselves and gave ample impression of being driven into it by some external forces.
Their first point of objection was the enhancement of the minimum educational qualification from class 8 pass to class 10 pass. They wanted a class 8 pass as the cutoff line.
On the other hand, there is a crystal clear resolution of the finance department of the government of Jharkhand 1859 Vit dated 2.9.11 which has set class 10th pass as the educational qualification for the recruitment of fourth-grade personnel.
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Demand for Tests and Absorption
The other demand of the protesters was for the restoration of the written test/ interview for this recruitment. They claimed there was held written test when the minimum educational qualification was just class 8 pass.
Administrative sources said there is no provision for holding test/ interview here in this category of the post.
This correspondent spotted some familiar faces which had created a similar fuss and confusion when the recruitment for the post of the Chowkidars was done here. These faces again on Monday were out with disinformation.
Further, the protesters wanted all the applicants, irrespective of whether they appeared in the previous recruitment test or not be considered as aspirants for the post.
The Supreme Court in its judgement dated February 10, 2025, showing a rare humanitarian gesture, has ordered for a suitable age relaxation to all those aspirants only who had taken the previous test for this post in regard to the advertisement made for it in the year 2010.
A mere applying for the post and not taking the test will not be any entitlement for suitable age relaxation. The applicant must have given the previous test no matter he cleared it or not. It’s candidate’s participation in the test that entitles him to suitable age relaxation.
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Palamu administration has given a leeway of 15 years to such applicants who had taken the previous test, which is a big relief.
The protesters wanted saying as they were the aspirants for the post in the past and so they should be given the benefit of the Samayojan (absorption).
There is no scope of the absorption as per the judgement of the Supreme Court.
Political Involvement Suspected Behind the Agitation
Sources said one big national political party has thrown its weight behind the stir against the recruitment advertisement, provoking people to raise the banner of resistance.
On Monday nearly 50 or 60 protesters gathered in the portico of block A of the Palamu Collectorate where on the first floor sits the DC Sameera S.
Swift Action by Administration to Disperse Protesters
The administration soon rushed in a magistrate with a posse of force to tackle the stir.
The magistrate Sewa Ram Sahu, District Welfare Officer and police force led by Indradeo Paswan got the portico vacated by the protesters.
The last date for the submission of the handwritten application form is July 5 not by hand but only by either the registered post or by the speed post at the office of the District Employment Officer.
