Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: In the wake of continuous protests by some job seekers against hiring of a previously blacklisted company for conducting the recruitment tests, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), Rajesh Sharma today assured that there will be no compromise on transparency and merit.
“The board is very much aware of your (aspirants) concerns and all efforts will be made to conduct exams in a fair, transparent and secure manner. Do not pay heed to rumour mongers and those with ulterior motives, who are only here to disrupt the processes,” he told media persons during a hurriedly called press conference, here today.
Pertinent to mention that a number of JKSSB aspirants held back-to-back protests in both the capital cities for the past two days over the hiring of a previously blacklisted company, Aptech Limited, by the JKSSB for the conduct of computer-based written tests.
Allaying apprehensions on the hiring of Aptech Limited, SSB Chairman sought to clarify that the said agency was not blacklisted as on date, though it was blacklisted in Uttar Pradesh in May 2019 for a period of three years that expired in May 2022.
“I would like to clarify that blacklisting is a restrictive term valid for a period. It has to be distinguished from disbanding i.e. permanent blacklisting,” he explained and added that Aptech Ltd was already conducting exams across the country and at the Centre.
“It has been and is executing prime projects in NTA, CBSE (2023) and other Government bodies and has successfully completed many CBT based examinations like UGC NET (2020, 2021), JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE 2021), Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET 2019, 2020, 2021) wherein 52 lakh candidates have participated,” he said, adding the agency also conducted Income Tax (2022), RPF Jhansi (2022), Railway Vadodara (2022) exams.
Claiming that the Aptech Ltd has qualified the parameters prescribed for tendering and was the highest bidder on quality-cum-cost based selection (QCBS) mode, Rajesh Sharma said the tendering process was undertaken strictly as per the rules on the subject.
“Total nine companies had applied and in pre-bid discussion, amendment in the conditions was sought by the participating companies following which the same was done,” he said and added that before initiating the tendering process, the board held deliberations with the stakeholders and it was realised that continuous updation of systems is very vital for any agency during the conduct of exams. “The board has not given the selection process to any single agency. Rather the board has engaged these agencies for rendering necessary assistance to conduct the exams,” he said.
Also pointing out that the matter was sub-judice, SSB Chairman said that the issue will be settled by the law and not by sloganeering. He alleged that the instant protests seem to be motivated to derail functioning of SSB and an attempt to influence the court.
Without identifying anyone, Rajesh Sharma said there are certain elements spreading distortion and misinformation on the issue. “It is not that Mr A or Mr B will decide blacklisting, let the court give judgement. It cannot be decided by a few on a road or in a rotary. These persons levelling unsubstantiated allegations have clear ulterior motives,” he added.
SSB Chairman reiterated that the board was taking all safety measures like the appointment of observers by the General Administration Department, observers of district administration, magistrates, as well as additional frisking, third-party audits and installation of jammers to conduct free and fair exams.
“We are committed to conduct exams including those scheduled from March 16 with the highest degree of security. Our mission is to uphold the sanctity of the recruitment process,” he said and appealed the aspirants not to pay heed to the rumour mongers.
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