Transparency on mind, Haryana set to roll out written test for promotion

Taking its flagship “no parchi, no kharchi” (no recommendation, no bribe) regime, which helped the BJP score a historic hat-trick in the recent Assembly poll, to the next level, the Haryana Government is set to introduce a written test for promotions in government service, a step aimed at instilling transparency in promotions for Group A, B and C employees.

To be introduced under its unique “merit-cum-seniority” scheme, the regime will replace the existing “seniority-cum-merit” system.

“The proposed policy is aimed at enhancing the administrative framework on promotions since several lacunae have been detected in the existing system,” a senior government officer told The Tribune.

Will consist of 2 papers

• All Group A, B, C employees must pass a qualifying test for promotions
• Written exam to have two papers — general administration and department subject
• General category candidates need to score 50 per cent marks, others 45 per cent

was an offshoot of comments and feedback received from stakeholders, the officer said the new regime sought to instil transparency in promotion. The Chief Secretary would chair a high-level meeting here on October 16 to take a final call on the policy, the officer said.

According to the policy, the department concerned or an authorised agency will conduct the written examination. While one paper will be on general administration, another will be on a subject decided by the department concerned where vacancies are to be filled by promotion.

“The promotion shall be made on a merit-cum-seniority basis. Once the department examination is cleared, the name of the eligible employees as per the seniority list shall be considered for promotion by the appointing authority,” the policy states, highlighting that the department examination will only be “qualifying” in nature.

Employees of the general category shall have to score at least 50 per cent marks while those from the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, economically weaker sections, ex-servicemen, persons with disability and sportspersons shall have to secure at least 45 per cent marks in the qualifying test. “An employee, who once qualifies the written test but is not promoted for some reason, shall not be required to appear and qualify the written examination again,” the policy underlines.