NEW DELHI, April 29? A sudden change in policy of Staff Selection Commission in recruitment of clerks that has left candidates from the North-eastern and southern States high and dry, provoked a hue and cry in the Lok Sabha today as members cutting across the political lines demanded cancellation of the selection process. The issue that united the House against the Commission?s revised policy was raised by Vaiko of the MDMK party during the Zero Hour. Terming the selection process as a discrimination against candidates from the southern end the north-eastern states, he alleged that as against 885 candidates selected from all over the country, less than 100 candidates were recommended for appointment from the southern and the north-eastern region.
The reason, he said was that students were allowed to take examinations only in Hindi and English. While 85 candidates from the South made it to the final list, only 11 candidates were selected from the seven north-eastern States, he added. The problem was further aggravated as the Commission introduced descriptive type of answering. Vaiko demanded that students be allowed to take examinations in the regional languages, which are recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Soon, other members belonging to both sides of the political divide joined the issue demanding that fresh examination be held after cancellation of the present examination.
Senior leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shivraj Patil, Somnath Chatterjee, Yerran Naidu and Anand Gate advocated that the Staff Selection Commission like the Union Public Service Commission should allow candidates to take examinations in the recognised regional languages. They underlined the need to ensure a level-playing field for all candidates. A section of the members however objected to opposition of some members to the use of English language, pointing out that one of the country?s strength was its large English speaking population. India?s domination in computer software was because of its English speaking population, members contended.
Joining the issue, KA Sangtam from Nagaland said that English was the official language of his State, and that there were 16 languages in his State which had no scripts. All these languages use Roman scripts, he pointed out calling for continuance of English language. The discussion that lasted for about 45 minutes concluded with Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pramod Mahajan, assuring that issue would be taken up with the concerned ministry.