DON’T WORRY DELAY, FOCUS ON EXAMS: RATHI

CM Ashok Gehlot started his social life as a student leader. He has been among the youngsters and he knows their problems.

During my conversation with him, he said he was worried about the youngsters for their employment

Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) acting chairman Jaswant Singh Rathi speaks about the challenges he has to fight in his new role.

Talking to Shweta Mishra of First India News, Rathi appeals to the young generation to have full faith in the commission and not be swayed by what others say.

They should focus on exams and not be part of any social media movement. l CM Ashok Gehlot has entrusted you with the responsibility of RPSC.

Do you see this as a challenge or an opportunity?

I have been given this responsibility amid much turmoil.

I want to assure everyone, including the youths, that there won’t be injustice on the part of the Commission.

We would ensure that meritorious candidates don’t suffer and all the genuine candidates get employment.

We know that there is immense crisis today but I want to tell the people that they should not get swayed by what others say and have faith in the commission.

The task that I have been given, I see it as a challenge. I have told my coworkers and officials to work together on this and ensure that the recruitment is done on time as per the 2022 calendar.We will get the exams conducted on time and with transparency.

You were a journalist earlier. How does RPSC stand to benefit from this experience?

A journalist is in touch with every section of the society. From the PMO to the Grade 4 employees, we know them all. We have a better connect with the people and their sentiments. I feel that this would help me do better work and the commission would also benefit from this.

CM Gehlot has a vision that the state’s young generation must get employment. What efforts is the commission making to ensure this?

Our CM started his social life as a student leader. He has been among the youngsters and he knows their problems.

During my conversation with him, he said he was worried about the youngsters for their employment.

He is a sensitive person and has often conveyed to us that the commission is a constitutional body and there should be least political interference and it must work independently.

 You first became a member of the commission on October 14, 2020 and now you have been given its charge. What would be your priority?

We would try to adopt the UPSC pattern and the young generation must have faith in us.

I want RPSC to top the list of state service commissions and people should have as much faith in RPSC as they have in UPSC.

 What difference do you find being a member of the commission and now its chairman?

I have always believed in team work. All the members of the commission support me. Being a chairman is not sufficient.

Everything needs teamwork and a chairman must know the strength and merit of his team members. I wish to work accordingly.

How would you tackle irregularities plaguing the recruitment examinations?

This is indeed an examination for me but I hope to come out with flying colours with the cooperation of my team and the CM gehlot.

The rackets that play with the future of the youths must be identified and must be dealt with legally.

Don’t you think the paper leak episode is being politicised?

We are a constitutional body and don’t have anything to do with politics. This is a sensitive matter and the agencies working on it must continue their work earnestly and punish the guilty so that future candidates don’t suffer.

As for RPSC, I assure that if I come across any such unfair means used during exams, I would ensure action against them. l

You have battled cancer.

What is your philosophy towards life?

When I was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor, I was worried. But I was reminded of the Mahabharata and thought that I must fight it out and not worry about the results.

I come from an Army background and studied in Central School, where children from various backgrounds came.

I always believed in karma and not the result. As a human being, I believe I must do my bit for society. My book, ‘Mera yuddh, cancer viruddh’ is on the same lines that we must not give up.

 What would be that one change that you would like to bring about in today’s generation?

Sports is very important for the youngsters and they should not be kept away from this. Being glued to the television or phone does not help one.

Sports teaches the art of living – to win and to lose and still be part of a team. It teaches them to accept their failures in a similar stride as winning and never give up.

 How would you allay people’s misconceptions with respect to the RPSC interview?

The board members get to know just 15 minutes before the interview as to which board of panel they are assigned.

Even the experts get to know only five minutes before. Moreover, they do not have any kind of identity of the candidates. There is a lot of misconception and no truth in it.

I have conducted interviews and can vouch that it is fair. People should not be disheartened and I assure that even the last person would get justice.

Recruitments get stuck in courts and people have to wait for years. Even the CM wants this to end. Putting this on track would be a big challenge.

There is certainly a mammoth racket involved in such things, which we need to identify.

As for RPSC, we would try that there are no litigations and transparency is maintained.

I would request the candidates to prepare for the exams and not worry for delays. It is a challenge and we would ensure that exams are conducted in a fair manner.

 Will RPSC introduce new things for the benefit of the candidates?

Candidates must trust that whatever is on the website will be followed and there won’t be any changes in it. Candidates can fill up forms from anywhere in the state. 

What is your message to the media?

Journalism has a lot of challenges today and one has to be competent enough and upgrade oneself to handle technology