Give jobs on merit



In Goa, a job is equated or synonymous with a government job. Statistics released by the government two years ago states that 62% of government income is spent on salaries and pensions. This means of the Rs 100 the government earns, only Rs 38 are left for spending on developmental works. This also includes administrative expenses, social welfare expenses, and payment of old loans. So, it is up to the government to decide how much funds are actually utilised for the development works. The government has to borrow to expedite any work. For now, the government is following a trend of private public partnership or the PPP model. Initially, it was a branch of the finance department that has now been converted into a full-fledged department. Despite the department receiving a huge set-back for the construction of the Dona Paula Convention Centre Hall, the government is still adamant to continue with this department. PPP has become a buzzword, and the government cannot put a step forward without private partnership.


It is but natural for a private investor to assume and calculate returns on the investment. Hence, the infrastructure created to give facilities would not come free for the public, and will be paid for sure. The purpose of writing all this is that the government is now going to recruit jobs on a large scale. The government had set up an employment commission, for clean and transparent recruitment. Later, it conveniently wrapped up the commission for its own benefit. Since the government is facing staff shortage, permission for department wise recruitment was however given, it felt the commission will not be able to recruit staff quickly. Now, the government has decided to centralise this act. There is enough scope to believe that the rest of the recruitment will be transparent. There are almost no complaints with regards to appointments and promotions of gazetted officers since Jose Manual Noronha has been appointed as the Chairman of the Goa Public Service Commission.


The working of the commission has been very much transparent. Results of examinations are declared within an hour. If the candidate feels that a wrong or irrelevant question is asked in the question paper, the commission has developed a mechanism to raise a query. Experts have been appointed in relevant fields. Everyone has accepted that recruitments are done in a very crystal-clear manner. The credit for ending political interference in the recruitment process ought to be given to Noronha. The question is, whether the new commission will work in a similar way. Or will the government appoint secretaries as chairman, members or member secretary and continue recruiting favourite candidates through the backdoor? Such things should not happen.



The chairman of the new commission should also enjoy constitutional rights and protection like the Goa Public Service Commission. Thus the commission can take its independent decisions, else the ruling faction will continue what the departmental heads have been doing till date. It would be a joke, if one says government jobs are given sans favouritism. Within a few days after publishing the advertisement for recruitment, people predict how many candidates will get the jobs from a particular constituency. If the same candidates are selected for the posts published, why can’t one allege fixing of jobs?


For one post advertised, thousands of aspirants apply, stand in queues in scorching heat, to collect the application form and then answer the exams. They also give interviews, but in the end are disappointed. Will the government assure that this picture will change with the recruitment commission coming into the picture?



Basically, a person with independent mind has to be appointed on such a commission rather than a government secretary. If the government is not acting in this direction, the commission may be considered as another scam. It may be described as a legal way of doing illegal things. Government should take this opportunity to brighten its image. Jobs should be given on merit. Favouritism should be completely stopped, so that the government will have better human resources and the qualified needy will have jobs. The commission may hold quarterly or half yearly exams. A common exam may be conducted for a particular post for e.g. a junior clerk or stenographer. Whenever a vacancy opens up in any department, the commission may send a list of eligible candidates for the same. Thus, an aspiring candidate need not apply in various departments and stand in queues. The government has promised recruitment through the commission during the festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi. The government should stick to its assurance of a transparent process of recruitment and save the youth from wearing out their shoes at politicians' doorsteps.