An unprecedented turnout of candidates for a walk-in interview conducted by the Hubballi Division of South Western Railway caught the officials off guard resulting in chaos at the Railway Hospital here on Tuesday.
As the turnout of the candidates far exceeded the expectations of the officials, there was a lot of confusion resulting in the aspirants resorting to an agitation outside the Railway Hospital on Gadag Road here.
The Hubballi Division of South Western Railway called for the walk-in interview for engaging para-medical staff on contract basis for the posts of staff nurse (20), pharmacist (six), health and malaria inspector (eight), dialysis technician, laboratory superintendent and physiotherapist.
While the interview for the posts of staff nurse was scheduled for Tuesday, the interviews for other posts are scheduled to take place on June 12 and 19.
Trouble started after nearly nearly 3,000 candidates turned up for the walk-in interview and the officials were not prepared to handle such a situation. Lack of proper communication to the candidates further added to the confusion. Ultimately, the police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Subsequently, senior officials too intervened and tokens were issued to the aspirants with an announcement that all those who were present would be interviewed on different dates.
For nine days
In a later clarification, Chief Public Relations Officer of South Western Railway E. Vijaya said that the confusion was owing to the more-than-anticipated turnout for the interview. In all, 2,325 candidates turned up for the interview and consequently the token system was adopted for enrolment. The candidates had been now given date and time of their interviews and the division would interview 250 candidates per day for nine days.
She has clarified through a release that once candidates appear on the scheduled day indicated on the token, document verification and other related process would be taken up and interview would be held. The candidates concerned have also been informed about the process to clear confusion, the release said.