MPSC 2017 batch candidates in a limbo

Pune: Although the Bombay High Court (HC) has given the judgement on the recruitment issue of 377 candidates of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) batch 2017, the candidates have still not received any particular joining date. 

Already the candidates have been waiting for a year now to start their training. It seems they have to wait for a little longer as the officials are confused over the judgement.

The candidates of batch 2017, cleared their exams last year and were supposed to start their training from August 1, 2018. But due to the pending case on horizontal reservation of 17 open category women, the recruitment got delayed. 

However, on August 8, finally the Bombay HC passed the judgement directing the officials to begin training these candidates. But now the State government officials of both MPSC and General Administration Department have been struggling to interpret the judgement, stated the candidates. 

“The judgement passed by the HC is unclear. The advocate representing the State and students as well as the officials are still figuring out what is the direction exactly. This has further delayed the procedure,” said a candidate on condition of anonymity.

Candidates have also stated that both the administrations are passing the buck to each other, causing further postponement of joining dates. 

“The para 49 (2) of the order has left ambiguity because of which it is difficult to understand what the order says. It has left us confused whether we need to make some changes in the result which was released last year or what kind of course of action needs to be taken? We have communicated the same to the General Administration Department of the State government and have appealed to them to guide us on this. The administration held a meeting on Tuesday as well,” said MPSC Secretary Pradeep Kumar.

“We will now be seeking legal opinion from AGM. Also if required, we will ask the court to provide us more clarification on the judgement. We are working on it and soon the dates will be declared,” said Kumar.

Possible strike
Sensing no progress in this matter, the candidates have stated that if the State government fails to start the training of selected candidates of Batch 2017, then they will soon call for an indefinite strike. 

Looking for alternatives

• Some of the candidates have again started to prepare for the MPSC examination.
• Several candidates who were selected as additional collector, deputy superintendent (DySP), tehsildar and others have been jobless since last year. 
• Many among these had cleared their exam after completing their graduation.