By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 10: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) East Jaintia Hills Unit has submitted a seventeen-point charter of demands to the District Selection Committee (DSC), calling for immediate reforms to ensure transparency in the recruitment process.
The KSU highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the DSC’s recruitment procedures for various posts in the district. “Over time, it has become increasingly evident that there are inherent flaws and inconsistencies in the current system, which hinder the selection of the most qualified candidates. This has led to dissatisfaction and mistrust among applicants and the general public,” the KSU stated.
One of the main concerns raised by the KSU is the lack of transparency in recruitment.
“Transparency is crucial for maintaining the credibility and integrity of the selection process. It ensures that decisions are made fairly and based on merit, fostering trust and confidence in the DSC’s functioning,” the union noted.
The KSU emphasised the importance of implementing transparent practices, such as clearly outlining the selection criteria, making the evaluation process more objective, and providing timely updates to all stakeholders.
These measures, the union said, would significantly improve the effectiveness and reputation of the committee.
Additionally, the KSU called for a thorough revamp of the DSC’s recruitment methods to align them with modern standards and best practices. “This includes updating job descriptions to reflect the evolving requirements of various positions, streamlining the application and evaluation processes, and introducing mechanisms to prevent bias and favoritism,” the KSU added.
The union believes that by embracing these changes, the DSC will be better equipped to attract and select the most qualified candidates, benefiting the district by ensuring that competent individuals are appointed to key roles.
The KSU’s charter of demands includes: Appointment of qualified non-official Vice Chairmen and members of the District Selection Committees, with no political affiliations; annual declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants; applicants must be domiciles of Meghalaya and have proficiency in the Khasi language to apply for any post in Khasi and Jaintia Hills; avoidance of ad hoc, contractual, or casual appointments; publication of an annual calendar with key examination dates by the DSC; public disclosure of marks secured by all candidates in any examination; no changes to a candidate’s roll number or other details during the recruitment process; provision of carbon copies of OMR sheets to candidates; release of answer keys after examinations, with a specific timeframe for challenging them; completion of the recruitment process within six months from the date of advertisement; abolition of personal interviews for Grade B, C, and D positions; annual reports by the DSC; high confidentiality of question papers to prevent leakage; creation of a grievance cell within the DSC; implementation of computer-based testing in the future; internet shutdown during examination hours; and installation of CCTV cameras inside examination halls.