AHMEDABAD: A recent advertisement for recruitment issued by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) specifically mentioned that Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree holders need not to apply.
The GSECL had advertised seeking candidates for the post of 37 instrument mechanics where the eligibility qualification is a diploma in instrumentation and control (IC). For 111 posts of vidyut sahayak (plant attendant Grade 1, electrical) and 66 posts of vidyut sahayak (plant attendant Grade 1, mechanical), the eligibility is a full-time diploma in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively.
The advertisement directed degree holders not to apply. “BE/BTech degree holders being over qualified need not apply,” it said. Energy minister Saurabh Patel said that recruiting candidates with higher qualifications created technical issues as they come into conflict with their senior engineers.
“In order to avoid such conflict, it was decided to restrict degree holders from applying.”
Government jobs have become coveted for the job security and good pay they offer. Due to this, highly overqualified candidates do not shy away from applying for posts needing a minimum qualification of Class X or XII.
It is commonplace for graduates, postgraduates, engineers and even doctors to apply for the post of a peon in a government department. Being highly qualified, such candidates crack the exams easily, clear departmental examinations and get promotions, leading to posts they were recruited to falling vacant. In many cases, it is observed that selected candidates do not join after selection, forcing departments to come out with waiting lists.
Sonal Mishra, principal secretary, Narmada, water resources, water supply and Kalpsar department, who was earlier posted in Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) said postgraduate candidates had applied and were selected even as bus conductors.
“In many cases, these overqualified candidates jump from one post to another, creating vacancies in the department,” she said.
A senior officer said certain restrictions should be imposed on overqualified candidates. “Even if 15% of those appointed leave their jobs for better prospects, the department is plagued with vacancies resulting in overburdening of existing staff,” the official said.
G S Malik, additional director general of police, who was chairman of the Police Constable Recruitment Board said that during recruitment of constables, not just postgraduates but even engineers had applied. "Recruiting overqualified candidates does not have any major administrative hiccups other than when they leave to get better jobs in the same or other departments.”