Sever the roots of corruption in PPSC

Having done my masters in economics with flying colours in 1964, I had high hopes and aspirations. I filled a form for the civil services exam and also applied for the post of a lecturer in economics advertised by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The exam centre in those days was in Patiala. The date for interview intimated by the commission clashed with that of the examination, so I requested for the postponement of interview. As I did not hear from the commission, I had no option but to sit in the exam. However, one Shri Kapur (if I recall his name correctly), the then secretary of the commission, walked up to me with my letter in his hand. He was also the superintendent for the civil services examination. When I apprised him of my problem, he said I would be interviewed before the examination.

The next day when I visited the PPSC office, officials told me that I had not attached the postal orders of the requisite amount with my application. As I was anxious to reach the examination centre on time, I decided to forgo the interview. But again Shri Kapur came to my rescue and enquired why I did not turn up. On hearing my predicament, he assured me that if I could make good the shortfall in postal orders, I would be interviewed in the afternoon soon after the examination was over.

I vividly recall that fateful day when after borrowing money from a friend, I rushed for the interview. The chairman and members of the commission asked many searching questions about the Indian economy and in the end it was a thrilling and satisfying experience. I had no ropes to pull.

The secretary of the commission didn’t know me, but why was he so keen that I should not miss the interview? It seems he was ensuring that all eligible candidates get a fair chance. And after about a month, my joy knew no bounds when I received my appointment letter. I joined the Hoshiarpur government college where I was already serving on a temporary basis. I taught there for a year before joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1966.

The PPSC then enjoyed an enviable reputation for impartiality and fairness, which was jealously guarded. Men and women of impeccable integrity were chosen by the government to be members of the commission and merit was the sole criterion for selection.

But over the years, reputation and integrity of the commission has nosedived. Recommendations by the commission for appointments to various posts in the recent past have been under the scanner. Selection of candidates for the PCS and medical doctors were quashed by the high court. A chairman and nine selected candidates were sentenced for accepting illegal gratification. The public perception, not without basis, is that the process of selection is vitiated by extraneous considerations of graft and patronage. It is distressing indeed that there has been so much institutional decay.

I wonder what would have been my plight if I were to seek a job in the current dispensation, as merit may not have been of much consequence. I can imagine the anguish and frustration that bright young men and women may be experiencing now. Some not-so-deserving candidates pay bribe to get a job. Having paid large sums, they may not hesitate in demanding illegal gratification after joining the service by way of return on investment. Thus begins a vicious circle of corruption, corroding the administrative edifice. But all is not lost. Let’s be optimistic that things would change for the better.

THE PPSC ONCE ENJOYED AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION. PERSONS OF IMPECCABLE INTEGRITY WERE CHOSEN TO BE ITS MEMBERS