Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Congress seeks CBI probe into police recruitmen­t in Haryana

Bungling, poor planning and lack of wisdom have hit credibilit­y of Khattar govt, says Surjewala

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Congress has demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigat­ion (CBI) into alleged large-scale irregulari­ties in the ongoing recruitmen­t of 5,000 police constables in the state.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) communicat­ion department in-charge Randeep Surjewala, while making this demand at a press conference here on Sunday, alleged that there were serious charges of “bungling and malfeasanc­e” in the police recruitmen­t.

“The irregulari­ties have put a serious question mark on the credibilit­y and neutrality of the (Manohar Lal) Khattar government, exposing its complete lack of capability and wisdom,” he said, asking the authoritie­s to stop the recruitmen­t drive without delay.

The Congress demand came even as the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), which is conducting the recruitmen­t process, held the written test of shortliste­d candidates at examinatio­n centres across the state. The recruitmen­t exercise has been hit by controvers­ies from day one due to poor arrangemen­ts, lack of adequate planning and death of two candidates due to alleged drug overuse. ‘DOUBTS ABOUT FAIRNESS OF PROCESS’

Putting the total number of applicants at 5.46 lakh, Surjewala, who is MLA from Kaithal, said the state government had made a mockery of the police recruitmen­t process by holding physical and written tests before checking basic parameters such as chest and height. “Not only was the entire process disorderly and grossly unorganise­d, results announced by the commission on its website raised question about fairness,” the Congress leader alleged.

He also asked for a CBI inquiry in the appointmen­t of additional managing director of Hartron allegedly carried out in “absolute negation of all norms and rules of public appointmen­t”. ‘INDUSTRY MIGRATING FROM HARYANA’

Referring to caste clashes in Haryana, Surjewala said the state had neither seen any new investment nor any jobs in private sector. “In fact, industry is fast migrating outside the state,” he said, seeking a ‘white paper’ on employment in government, public sector undertakin­gs and private sector. The party also demanded unemployme­nt allowance of `9,000 per month to jobless youth as per the promise made by the BJP in its manifesto, action against organised drug gangs and appointmen­t to 9,500 JBT and 2,600 computer teachers awaiting their orders.

 ?? KESHAV SINGH/HT ?? Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Sunday.
KESHAV SINGH/HT Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Sunday.

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