Probe into 'fake' certificates submitted for postal jobs in Koraput

BHUBANESHWAR: Police on Friday began an investigation into fake educational certificates allegedly produced by at least 22 out of total 32 candidates selected as gramin dak sevaks (GDS) under Koraput division of the department of posts.
Officials said after declaration of the result of online recruitment for various GDS posts, the selected candidates were told to report to the office for verification of their educational certificates which they had uploaded online at the time of application.
"During verification of the original high school certificates and mark sheets submitted by the selected candidates, an unexpected percentage of marks was noticed which led to suspicion over their genuineness," said Manoj Pragada, senior superintendent of posts, Koraput.
He said certificates and mark sheets of at least 13 out of the 22 selected candidates were found to be issued by the Uttar Pradesh State Board of High School and Intermediate Education awarding marks in Odia which seem to corroborate that they were fake. Certificates and mark sheets from the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha produced by the remaining nine selected candidates were also found to be forged.
The selected candidates whose mark sheets and certificates are under scanner are from Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts.
"Detailed lists of candidates whose certificates and mark sheets are under scanner have been sent to the police to inquire into the matter," said Pragada. Recently, fake certificates and mark sheets being submitted by students and used for getting jobs have already been detected in some districts.