The recruitment controversy in Jharkhand has taken a fresh turn after government employees selected through the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission–Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examinations protested against the state government’s decision to cancel the recruitment process.
The employees, many of whom have already received appointment letters and are working in government departments, gathered outside Project Bhawan in Ranchi on Tuesday. They demanded clarity from the government and opposed any move to terminate their services because of allegations surrounding the recruitment examinations.
The latest protest comes after weeks of demonstrations by students demanding action over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations.
Why Are JSSC-CGL Employees Protesting?
The protesting employees said they had successfully cleared the recruitment examination, completed the selection process and joined government service.
They argued that candidates who were selected through the official recruitment process should not lose their jobs because of allegations of wrongdoing that they were not responsible for.
The employees also questioned whether the government can cancel their appointments through an oral instruction without following a proper legal process.
They said they were prepared to approach the courts to protect their appointments and would continue their legal fight if necessary.
One of the protesters, Chanda Kumari, said the decision had created uncertainty for thousands of candidates who had cleared the examination.
She questioned why candidates who had no role in any alleged irregularity should face the consequences.
Employees Claim Around 2,000 Jobs Could Be Affected
According to the protesting employees, approximately 2,000 government jobs could be affected by the cancellation decision.
They said these are not merely candidates awaiting appointment. Many selected candidates have already joined their respective departments and have been performing their duties.
The employees therefore want the government to distinguish between those allegedly responsible for irregularities and candidates who were selected through the examination without any wrongdoing on their part.
How Did the Jharkhand Exam Controversy Begin?
The dispute intensified after students began protesting in Ranchi on July 29, alleging irregularities, paper leaks and a lack of transparency in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).
The protesters gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and demanded several measures, including cancellation of disputed examinations and an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The students had also demanded a CBI investigation and action against those allegedly responsible.
The agitation continued for several weeks, with some students even beginning an indefinite hunger strike.
Government Accepts Most Student Demands
After the prolonged agitation, the Jharkhand government announced on Monday that it had accepted most of the students’ demands.
However, the government did not agree to the demand for a CBI probe.
The decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination has now created a new problem for the government, with employees who were selected through the recruitment process coming out in protest.
What Is JSSC-CGL?
The JSSC-CGL is a graduate-level recruitment examination conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission to fill various government posts.
The examination has been used to recruit candidates for positions such as:
- Assistant Branch Officer
- Junior Secretariat Assistant
- Labour Enforcement Officer
- Planning Assistant
- Block Supply Officer
The current dispute is therefore significant because any decision affecting the recruitment process could have an impact on candidates who have already been appointed.
Employees Say Court Will Decide Their Future
The protesting employees maintained that the dispute should ultimately be decided through the legal process.
They said they would challenge any attempt to remove them from service without giving them an opportunity to present their side.
The employees’ protest has now added another layer to Jharkhand’s recruitment controversy. While student groups are demanding action over alleged irregularities, those already selected and appointed are asking the government to protect their jobs.
The government now faces the challenge of addressing both sides of the dispute — students demanding accountability and appointed employees seeking protection from losing their jobs.
