To ensure transparency in the recruitment, the Goa Government had in 2019 set up a three member Staff Selection Commission. The commission was set up by the state government to allow recruitment for all posts in ‘C’ and ‘D’ categories in a very transparent manner and without any political influence.
With an eye on the 2022 Assembly elections the government proposes to recruit for over 10,000 posts. In yet another retrograde move the government now wants to amend the Staff Selection Commission Act so that the government departments themselves conduct examinations and select candidates for the posts. With this proposed amendment, the Staff Selection Commission will become toothless and redundant while defeating the very objective of ushering the much needed transparency in the selection process.
The Civil and public service must always be of the highest caliber and truly independent, defending its neutrality and impartiality while not used or abused according to the whims of the political bosses. This is vital for good governance if the public who are the real paymasters are to have any faith and trust in the civil service and feel that they are getting value for money and a good return on taxes they pay. The bureaucracy in Goa cannot be acting as caged parrots of the politicians in power.
AIRES RODRIGUES, Ribandar
