RPSC and SSB: Backlog of members mars performance!

Jaipur: The two premier organisations of the State engaged in recruitment, Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and Staff Selection Board (SSB), are currently battling with ‘vacancy’ of their members. As a result, after examinations, the interviews are not being conducted at the desired pace.

Such is the situation that even after announcement of result of RAS and Sub-Inspector examinations, the interview boards are not being formed in absence of members. In both the organisations, it is needful for a member to sit in the Selection Board and this member is the Chairman of this Committee.

As of now, four members are working, along with the Chairman, in RPSC, whereas, the post of three members is lying vacant. Sanjay Shotriya is currently serving as RPSC Chairman, while Sangeeta Arya, Manju Sharma, Jaswant Rathi and Babulal Katara are members. The members were appointed by the current state government on October 15, 2022 while the Chairman was appointed on February 15, 2022. Their tenure is of six years or till 62 years of age.

One condition prevalent on it is that out of the seven- member strength, half can be those officials, who have served for ten years in State or Centre. The three new appointments have been done with this condition and thus, about a dozen IAS, IPS and RAS are lobbying for this position.

Meanwhile, there should be four members in Staff Selection Board (SSB). The Gehlot government has appointed retired IPS Hariprasad Sharma as Chairman and Professors of Jodhpur University - Ram Singh Meena and Irfan Mehra, as members in January 2022. Now, the post of two members is lying vacant.

The SSB is responsible for holding several examinations including teacher recruitment. Till now, interview of about 600 candidates for SI has been conducted and 2,400 candidates are still to be interviewed. As a result of the five posts of members in both the organisations being vacant, these organisations are not able to give a favourable result. Most of the difficulty and mental tension is being faced by those youths , who have cleared the examination, but are awaiting the interview call.

It is believed that appointment of new members will be done, in any case, by the current government. However, only seven months are left before the election code of conduct is enforced and thus, the government needs to speed up the selection process.

On the other hand, members in both the organisations are facing difficulties due to excess work load and once new appointments are made, they will get some relief.