Goa Medical College and Hospital has opened up 1077 vacancies ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, but with a series of earlier recruitment processes failing, the seriousness of this exercise is questionable. Applications are sought from eligible candidates for 600 staff nurses, 40 junior technicians, 23 pharmacists, 85 posts for LDCs, 254 posts of multi-tasking staff, 12 posts for occupational therapists, besides others.
However, in the recent past, recruitments have not fructified and candidates have waited endlessly after going through all processes. Government has made a complete mockery of the jobs they announce. There have been a string of similar employment promises beginning from Manohar Parrikar’s coaltion government. Lest we forget, recently Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured on the floor of the house in the monsoon session that 182 primary teachers would be given appointment letters. It’s been over a month since the promise was made, but there is no sign of any letter yet. Remember the 80 posts of accountants that were announced in August last. There were 8000 candidates who applied for these posts and all failed. Why were these posts not re-advertised and filled? This appeared to be an exercise in futility. A recruitment process for additional police force began three years ago, and candidates are still awaiting results.
The GMC announcement doesn’t raise any new hopes. The requirement of an additional 1077 workforce is rather baffling at this point in time because there is no adequate infrastructure in place to accommodate such a number.
Coupled with the grim past, there are other factors that don’t appear encouraging. First on the list is the quota system that denies a job to the most eligible candidates. It’s a known fact that government jobs are following a quota system for legislators. There was a hue and cry the last time GMC recruited staff because it came to light that majority of the candidates were from Sattari taluka. Can the health ministry assure transparency and fairness in selections this time? Will merit prevail over everything else?
At a time when there is so much gloom over unemployment, the least the government could do is simplify procedures and make a fresh start. We have seen thousands queuing up to fill forms, some even camping overnight near offices last year. On one side, government is talking big about technology and IT hub and here it is asking students to collect and submit application forms from the GMC dean. In the absence of an online process, imagine the chaos and confusion with thousands of candidates queuing up once again. Is the government only paying lip service to IT?
Last but not the least, the finances of the State are in a precarious situation. The government had to borrow Rs 300 crore to pay early salaries this month. With the rising fiscal deficit and with no fresh revenue streams, carrying an additional Rs 20-odd crore financial burden will be a herculean task.
The government by announcing vacancies is only creating an illusion to silence critics and to engage the attention of job-seekers and the general public. Nothing significant has moved on the ground and unemployment continues to be the single-largest factor that is threatening to change the Goemkar narrative.
