Candidates protest against alleged fraud in F&ES recruitment

SRINAGAR — Dozens of candidates, who had applied for the posts of Drivers and Firemen in the Fire Services Department held a protest against, what they called injustice with them for being dropped out from the selection list, despite being eligible for appointment, in comparison to those, who have been selected by the Department.

According to the protestors, the department has held three sets of written and physical tests of about six thousand candidates so far, out of which three were declared null and void, due to one or the other reason, mainly for alleged nepotism or any other legal implication.

They said that the applications were invited in 2013, wherein about six thousand candidates had applied for the posts of Drivers and Firemen.

Simultaneously, a new set of tests, written as well as physical was held, but due to the 2013 deluge all the records pertaining to the tests of the candidates were lost, after which a physical test was held again in 2018, which was challenged in court and a stay was granted on its results, with a direction to hold a fresh test.

The third and the last set of tests, according to the protestors, was held on 20-09-2020.

They said, “The results of this test was declared on 03-10-2020, where deserving and qualified candidates have been dropped or the kin of the employees have been adjusted.”

“In order to prevent the high-level bungling in the results from being challenged in the court of law, the department obtained a caveat from the court this time,” they added.

One of the protesting candidates said that an eighth pass driver candidate has secured 96 marks in the test, which is logically impossible, without the help of anyone in the Department.

He said, “Two candidates having the same roll number have been selected as Firemen, while four candidates from the same family have been selected against the rules.”

Another candidate, while casting aspersions on the selection list, alleged that most of the employees have succeeded to get their children included in the list.

“Middle pass candidates have been included in the selection list, whereas graduates and post graduates have been dropped, which is an injustice with them,” he added.

They demanded the Lt. Governor administration to look into the matter and to give justice to them.