Ludhiana: Candidates demand cancellation of June 30 ADO recruitment exam

Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 10

Several candidates, who took the exam for 200 posts of Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) on June 30 in Patiala, have demanded a high-level inquiry into the “paper leak”, claiming that after a four-year-long wait, the deserving candidates would suffer while those who were able to “manipulate” the process would benefit.

The candidates have requested the government to cancel the exam and announce a fresh date. Talking to The Tribune, Mandeep Singh (BSc, MSc Agriculture) from Ferozepur said this time, of about 6,000 candidates who appeared, many were from Haryana and were financially sound. “We came to know that ‘Set C’ of the paper was leaked on the evening of June 29, and most of the aspirants from Haryana had provided blank cheques to middlemen. They were even brought to the centres late, so they would not mention or leak the paper to others. We do not stand a chance. Candidates who have given over Rs 30 lakh will get the job. We will, however, fight for justice,” he alleged.

Blank cheques given to middlemen

We have learnt that ‘Set C’ of the paper was leaked on the evening of June 29, and most of the aspirants from Haryana had provided blank cheques to middlemen. They were even brought to the centres just on time, so they were unable to leak the paper to others. Those who have given over Rs 30 lakh will get job. —Mandeep Singh, A candidate

PPSC to look into allegations

The department has made efforts to fill these posts. The PPSC has conducted this exam. If there are any allegations about paper leak, the PPSC has to look into the matter. —Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Agri Minister

Another aspirant from Jalandhar, Kanwalpreet Singh, said several candidates had sent emails to government officials, Punjab Public Service Commission, Agriculture Minister, etc., about the paper leak, but the response was still awaited.

The candidates said a mail was being circulated, claiming that an inquiry had been marked, but they did not know if the information was correct. “We had met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s sister on July 8 at Jalandhar and she assured us that she would bring the issue to his notice. We had sought an appointment, but since the elections are on in Jalandhar, the CM was too busy to meet us,” Kanwalpreet added.