Panaji: Amid speculation about a demand from within BJP ranks to scrap the Goa Staff Selection Commission (SSC), chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that recruitment through the SSC would put an end to the malaise of cash-for-jobs. Sawant went further and said that recruitment to fill departmental positions through the SSC will commence shortly.
“People need to understand. There are ‘faltu’ (useless) people who are going around promising jobs, and these people should not be trusted. This is why we have the Goa Staff Selection Commission,” said Sawant. “Staff Selection Commission advertisements will start soon.”
The statement assumes significance since there are strong indications that several cabinet ministers and BJP MLAs are upset about the SSC overseeing the recruitment process. They want govt to return to the earlier department-level recruitment process. Sawant, who was speaking to reporters after chairing the cabinet meeting, said that all complaints about cash-for-jobs will be thoroughly investigated, with the guilty being held accountable.
“Thorough investigation is being conducted, and nobody will escape. If there are more incidents, they should file a case at the police station. Govt is serious and will act,” said Sawant. The Goa SSC has been constituted for recruiting candidates for departmental vacancies. Its role is to recommend candidates for recruitment based on a series of tests after which govt makes the final appointment.
“There are people who give money even for jobs that have not been advertised. If graduates behave like this, then what can we say,” said Sawant. Approximately 1,000 positions are vacant in various departments.