5 of 15 asst prof posts saw one candidate

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 28

During the recent recruitment of 15 assistant professors in the Department of Medical Education, there were five posts in different branches against which only one candidate each appeared for the interview.

With no other candidate in the fray, all five — including two relations of former principals — made it to the selection list. Dr KK Talwar, chairman of the selection committee, said it was not their fault if there was no other candidate. “While we had the discretion to reject the lone candidate, we selected them on merit. Some posts were reserved, so only a few candidates showed up.”

Meanwhile, a candidate, who had applied for the post, claimed the Department of Medical Education had been cancelling interviews in the past owing to the poor turnout, but this time they didn’t. “The department had in the past called off interviews after a single candidate showed up against a post. However, it was not done this time,” he said. It is learnt that all relations of the retired or serving officials who had applied for the posts were successful in making it to the list of selected candidates.

Alok Shekhar, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, said everyone had the right to apply for the post — including relatives of retired and serving officials. “It is not their fault if candidates are sons or daughters of former principal of any medical college. We can’t discriminate against them. All have been selected on merit.” Some candidates, who couldn’t make it to the list, said an inquiry should be conducted into the criteria adopted for reservation of seats.

5 of 15 asst prof posts saw one candidate
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