Jahangeer Ganaie

Favoritism: Principal GMC Anantnag under scanner for ‘bending’ recruitment rules

Favoritism: Principal GMC Anantnag under scanner for ‘bending’ recruitment rules
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Investigation taken up: Secy H&ME

Anantnag: Authorities at GMC Anantnag are bending rules in the selection process for Operation Theater Technician (OTT) posts leaving the shortlisted candidates fuming.
The shortlisted candidates for the OTT posts said they applied for the posts in January 2016 after which the shortlist was framed in February and interview dates fixed in March.
“But a day before the interview, Principal GMC Anantnag said that he will take interview of only those candidates having Diploma and candidates with degrees won’t be allowed to appear in the interview,” a candidate alleged.
They said the candidates having degrees approached the court which latter directed the GMC authorities to take the interview of the shortlisted candidates with degrees for OTT posts and keep the final list withheld till further directions.
The shortlisted candidates for OTT posts questioned the “step motherly behavior” as the shortlisted candidates for Radiography Technician posts having degrees were allowed in interview without interference by the court.
“Three candidates with degrees in relevant field were part of the final selection list as well,” they said.
“If degree holders were considered for Radiography Technician posts, why were such candidates in Operation Theater Technician shortlist asked to approach the court,” the candidates questioned.
They alleged that Principal GMC Anantnag had “bent rules to favour blue eyed candidates as the selected degree holder candidates are from Principal’s native area”.
As per the aggrieved candidates, four other GMCs in valley gave similar weightage to diploma and degree holders in the recruitment.
“And they have completed the recruitment process four months ago, however, due to unknown reasons Principal GMC Anantnag is delaying the process,” they alleged.
One of the shortlisted degree holder candidate told ‘Kashmir Vision’, that the Principal GMC had asked them to withdraw the case promising he will furnish the selection list after that.
“Now that we have withdrawn the case two months ago, the principal is yet to publish the list,” he said.
He said the Principal also asked them to submit an “affidavit mentioning that degree holder candidates won’t seek any preference over diploma holders and degree holders will be considered at par with diploma holders”.
“We have submitted that too months ago, but nothing has been done since then”.
The candidates asked if degree holders were supposed to be not eligible, how their application forms were accepted and how they were part of the approved shortlist.
“How did other GMCs select the degree holder candidates,” questioned the aggrieved candidates.
Interestingly, a government notification issued in 2016 has said that degree holders in relevant subject “shall be preferred over diploma holders”.
The candidates said that Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, who they had met, “directed principal GMC Anantnag to give same weightage to degree and diploma holders”.
“However, it did not have any impact on the principal,” they said.
When contacted, Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr Showkat Geelani said, “I have asked legal section for help as the case was in court for some time”.
Asked how other GMCs selected degree holder candidates and how the GMC itself selected degree holder candidates against Radiography Technician posts, Geelani could offer no justification.
Meanwhile, Secretary Health and Medical Education, Nisar Bilal said that they had already received a complaint and investigations have been already started in this regard.


Jahangeer Ganaie

Jahangeer Ganaie is a reporter and covers regional news and can be contacted [email protected]

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