SHILLONG, June 30: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday stayed recruitment interviews in West Jaintia Hills after the state failed to explain its selection criteria, even as the Voice of the People Party (VPP) alleged a massive scam involving candidates shortlisted with scores as low as three out of 50.
Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew issued the interim stay on personal interviews for the post of Lower Division Assistant (LDA)-cum-Typist under the District Selection Committee (DSC), which were scheduled to begin on July 1.
The order follows a writ petition filed by four candidates who were excluded from the final shortlist despite passing the written examination, typing test, and local language paper. While the State argued that the process followed “prescribed rules” and that 68 candidates were shortlisted for 34 vacancies based on overall proficiency, the court found the explanation insufficient.
Justice Thangkhiew observed that the State could not satisfactorily explain how the DSC assessed candidates in the typing and language tests or how merit was determined for the final shortlist.
Holding that a prima facie case had been made out, the High Court directed the State to produce all recruitment records and file an affidavit before the next hearing on July 21.
VPP demands CBI probe
Parallel to the court’s intervention, the VPP intensified its attack on the recruitment process, claiming it possesses documentary evidence of blatant manipulation.
Addressing a press conference, VPP spokesperson Londoner Sohtun alleged that documents reviewed by the party show at least three candidates were shortlisted for Grade-IV interviews despite scoring only three or four marks out of 50 in the written test.
“The findings raise serious doubts over the transparency and credibility of the recruitment process,” Sohtun said. “Allowing this to continue, even while under judicial scrutiny, reflects a total lack of seriousness by the government.”
Terming the irregularities a “major recruitment scam,” the VPP demanded that the Personnel Department immediately suspend all DSC recruitment exercises in West Jaintia Hills and institute a CBI inquiry.
Sohtun asserted that the party now holds RTI replies and other documents to substantiate its claims, a shift from previous instances where such allegations lacked recorded proof. The party further reiterated its demand for the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees to be insulated from political interference to ensure jobs are awarded strictly on merit.
