In a recent development, the Public Works Department (PWD) advertised the recruitment of 368 positions for Junior Engineers and Technical Assistants, sparking controversy and accusations of corruption against Minister Cabral. O Heraldo conducted a fact-check to shed light on the situation.
Herald's 10 Fact Check Points:
1. *Official Notification:* The recruitment notice was published in local newspapers on May 25, 2023.
2. *Examination Conducted:* The exams took place from June 11 to June 18, 2023, administered by the Government Polytechnic, Mayem, at various locations.
3. *Exam Structure:* The paper consisted of 100 marks, 100 questions, with four options for each question, and candidates were allotted two and a half hours.
4. *Results:* The results for the June 2023 exams were declared by the Polytechnic in the second week of November 2023, and PWD published them on its website.
5. *Candidate Participation:* A total of 6,433 candidates appeared for the 368 posts, with 3,863 candidates for Junior Engineer and 2,570 for Technical Assistant.
6. *Exam Authority:* Notably, the exam was not conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.
7. *Merit List:* The Polytechnic declared results, and the merit list is pending, to be prepared by the PWD Selection Committee in an upcoming meeting.
8. *Reservation Consideration:* The merit list will factor in reservations as applicable under the law for government jobs.
9. *Document Verification:* Eligible candidates will undergo verification of their original documents after the preparation of the merit list.
10. *Appointment Letters:* The issuance of appointment letters will occur only after completing all necessary procedures.
Key Objections on the said recruitment process :
Objection-1: Critics question the delay in result declaration despite a computerized answer sheet checking system.
Objection-2: Concerns are raised about why the recruitment process wasn't conducted through the Staff Selection Commission.
Perception:
The answers should be given by CM Sawant instead of Cabral. Seeing the huge response of the unemployed to the Panajim Maharojgar Mela which was held at the initiative of Minister Atanasio Monserrate a year ago, the Chief Minister announced in his inaugural speech that every recruitment in every government department would be done only through the Staff Selection Commission. MLAs and Ministers will no longer be able to provide jobs. The date of this speech of the Chief Minister was 8 November 2022.