Job aspirants attempt self-immolation in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 19:

As many as 15 candidates, including girls, today attempted self-immolation in front of Raj Bhawan in Odisha capital for inordinate delay of over 10 years in recruiting them as constables.

The youths today assembled in front of the Governor House under Surya Nagar area and doused themselves with kerosene. Personnel from Capital police station prevented them from committing such act and rushed them to Capital Hospital where they were detained for some time.

The aggrieved students resorted to such extreme step after their repeated pleas fell on deaf ears despite High Court order to appoint them in the state police.

“We are not getting jobs despite being in the merit list. How long can we fight court cases? We have exhausted money in paying fee to lawyers,” expressed a desperate candidate.

Notably, the state government had invited applications in December 2006 for filling up of 2,605 vacancies in the rank of sepoys in the State Armed Police Battalions and constables in various districts. Under the SEBC category, appointments were done against 27 per cent of the posts instead of the 11.25 per cent quota earmarked for them.

The appointments were challenged in the High Court in December 2011 and the court quashed the 15.75 per cent excess quota in SEBC category. Besides, the court directed for redrawing of fresh merit list to fill up the unreserved posts that were diverted for the purpose.

Following the court decision, counter petitions were also filed by some SEBC candidates already appointed in excess quota seeking protection of their service.

Hearing the pleas, the court had directed the state government in August 2012 to prepare a fresh merit list after excluding the SEBC employees who were given appointments in excess of quota reserved for them.

Despite the court order, the candidates have been running from pillar to post since last 10 years for jobs in constable rank.