MPSC, being a constitutional autonomous institution, does not automatically imply that its decisions are always right and beyond contestation. As long as it is a public office, it will never escape public scrutiny, especially when the intention is malicious.
MPSC is supposed to
uphold its fundamental values of integrity and follow the rules in letter and
spirit. However, the release of additional roll numbers has invited heavy
criticism against the institution. The reckless operation of such institutions
only degenerates the rule of law and undermines the spirit of the constitution
as a whole.
Like other critics, I
would also like to raise the following observations in association with the
current controversy surrounding MPSC:
- First and foremost, MPSC failed to
conduct regular examinations on a proper schedule. The irregularities in
recruitment result in a lack of trust among the masses and defeat the very
spirit of competition.
- Reputable institutions like UPSC,
SSC, and other State PSCs release an Annual Examination Calendar to
tentatively highlight all the programs to be conducted in a year. However,
this is not the case for Meghalaya PSC.
- During the advertisement of the MCS
examination, MPSC clearly defined the rules and regulations to be
followed. Unfortunately, it did not adhere to them, forming the basis to
question the fairness of MPSC.
- Upon publishing the prelims results
in December 2023, MPSC did not issue any notification to allow candidates
to challenge the outcome of the result. This implies that prelims results
cannot be challenged. MPSC hasn’t defined the rules that permit any aggrieved
individual to request a review of the results, meaning that MPSC does not
entertain anyone submitting representations of correct answers.
- Another issue is how someone can
challenge the result when no answer keys are made public. In fact, MPSC
should have released the answer keys first, then allowed for grievances to
be raised within a minimum period of 2 weeks, as is normally done by other
recruitment institutions.
- In this digital age, excuses cannot
be made for the late arrival of grievances, claiming it will take up to 3
months to reach the MPSC office.
- MPSC failed to notify the general
public about errors in the result, which would require the setting up of
an expert committee for verification.
All this has been done
with zero transparency until they shocked us all with the additional list of
roll numbers, considering that they have cracked the prelims. Excuses have been
made citing the right to privacy of certain candidates, but MPSC failed to
recognize that the right to privacy is not absolute. Furthermore, what privacy
is MPSC talking about when UPSC or other State PSCs have no hesitation in
releasing it?
I believe this esteemed
institution has now lost its direction, and recourse by the general public is
not possible at this moment. Therefore, to restore its purpose and reconstitute
its values, court intervention is the only solution. Otherwise, achieving
justice within MPSC is an arduous task.
I would also like to
advise, if someone is filing an RTI, please request the MPSC to provide the
application letters of those candidates who are asking the MPSC to review the
results. Additionally, ask for the OMR sheets of the candidates who are
challenging the results released by the MPSC.
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