PPSC Main Examination Dispute: Suspend Further Recruitment Until a Transparent Inquiry Is Held, Says Sunil Jakhar

Raises serious questions about the examination results, evaluation process and eligibility criteria, and demands a CBI investigation

Questions Kejriwal and Sisodia’s silence, says the PPSC has been turned into a “shop”

Chandigarh, November 11-Amid the controversy over the results of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Main Examination, former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar voiced his support for the candidates and called for an impartial and transparent inquiry. He said it seems lot of money has changed hands in the selection process. Jakhar said that before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal used to say he was an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and knew where to get money. He accused Kejriwal of now using the PPSC to auction off government jobs and, with them, the future of Punjab’s youth.He demanded that the government immediately order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and suspend the remaining stages of recruitment, including interviews, until the questions raised are satisfactorily answered.

Speaking to reporters, Jakhar said the candidates’ main demand was for the commission to publish the names and categories of those who qualified, along with their roll numbers and other relevant selection details, so that the process could be scrutinized. He called for an impartial inquiry into the reported clusters of roll numbers in the results and into how several candidates seated in the same row had qualified.

Jakhar asked why the government had yet to publish the names of the successful candidates if everything was in order. He said releasing the list with names would clarify whether it included the son and daughter-in-law of an officer currently in jail, as well as the children of other influential people. He cited claims that the couple had received grace marks that enabled them to clear the preliminary examination under the sports quota. He also said he had learned that the officer held an influential post in the relevant authority when their sports certificates were issued.

Jakhar said the deadline for meeting the Class 10 Punjabi-language requirement had been extended repeatedly after the recruitment examination process began. According to him, the extensions were granted after the previous PPSC chairperson had retired and before the new chairperson took office. He also called for an inquiry into a tehsildar’s claims about his son’s selection, saying such matters raised questions about the credibility of the PPSC and the government.
Questioning the silence of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, Jakhar asked why those who had organized a series of protests over the NEET examination controversy were now silent while, in his words, Punjab’s youth were being robbed of their rights. He told Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that he himself would be responsible for the matter.

Candidates Abhishek and Rankeerat Singh also raised concerns about how the examination was conducted and evaluated. They asked why the roll numbers of 86 of the 751 successful candidates appeared in consecutive clusters at several points on the list. They sought details on the required qualifications of evaluators, how answer scripts were assessed by subject, the marking scheme, and the procedures for moderation and standardization. They also asked whether the evaluation process was consistent, impartial and auditable.

The candidates questioned the absence of names and a category-wise selection list in the published results, the number of candidates selected in each category relative to the vacancies allocated, repeated changes to the Punjabi-language eligibility rules, and vacancies that remained unfilled in reserved categories, including the ex-servicemen category. They also called for an inquiry into allegations that coaching institutes received information before the results were announced and that exam centres failed to follow a uniform procedure for opening sealed bundles of question papers. They also asked for scrutiny of how the process was video-recorded.

Citing claims of preferential treatment, alleged recommendations and transactions, Jakhar demanded a clear response from the government. He said that evidence was needed before any successful candidate could be deemed ineligible and that the concerns raised had to be addressed. He assured the candidates that he would raise the matter with the Union Home Minister and support them in their legal fight. Jakhar said the issue concerned the future of Punjab’s youth and public trust in the government recruitment system. He added that if the Mann government failed to deliver justice, a BJP government would conduct a thorough investigation after taking office.

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AAP’s ‘Sehat Karanti’ Exposed: 84% of Specialist Doctor Posts Vacant in Punjab’s 84 Rural CHCs; Not a Single Centre Fully Staffed: Vijay Sampla

AAP, Which Spends Crores on Advertisements, Has Left Sub-Divisional and District Hospitals Short of Doctors: Vijay Sampla

Chandigarh, November 11-Former Punjab BJP State President Vijay Sampla exposed the Bhagwant Mann government’s claims of a ‘Sehat Karanti’, stating that just as the government had indulged in publicity under the banner of ‘Education Revolution’ while leaving 60% of principal posts (1,153) and 35,000 teacher posts vacant, Punjab’s healthcare infrastructure is now also on a ventilator. He made these assertions citing the Union Health Ministry’s report, Health Dynamics of India: 2024-25.

Acute Shortage of Specialist Doctors in Rural and Urban CHCs
In a press statement issued from the BJP’s Chandigarh office, Sampla said that, according to the central government report, not a single one of Punjab’s 84 rural Community Health Centres (CHCs) has all four key specialists—a surgeon, gynaecologist, physician and paediatrician. Of the 268 sanctioned posts, 224 (approximately 84%) are vacant, with only 44 specialists in position.
He stated that only 10 of the 67 sanctioned surgeon posts, 11 of the 71 gynaecologist posts, 8 of the 56 physician posts, and 15 of the 74 paediatrician posts have been filled. As many as 26 of the 29 anaesthetist posts, essential for emergency surgeries, are vacant. Among the 79 urban CHCs, only three are fully staffed, while 225 of the 346 sanctioned posts remain vacant.

Sub-Divisional and District Hospitals Also in a Dismal State; Health Minister Remains Silent
At sub-divisional hospitals, only 235 of the 575 sanctioned doctor posts and 390 of the 661 specialist posts are filled. Meanwhile, at district hospitals, only 328 of the 570 doctor posts and 533 of the 713 specialist posts are occupied. Sampla said the silence of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh over these figures was a clear indication of the government’s failure.
Vijay Sampla said that in the name of promoting Mohalla Clinics, the AAP government had crippled Punjab’s entire healthcare system. The Punjab BJP demanded that the AAP government immediately fill all vacant posts of doctors and specialists in CHCs and hospitals within a time-bound framework. It also demanded the release of a White Paper detailing the health budget, advertising expenditure and recruitment process.

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Government Must Immediately Accept the Demands of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS Employees: Avinash Rai Khanna

Hoshiarpur, November 11-Former Punjab BJP State President and former Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna has expressed concern over the three-day strike being observed by contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS over their demands. He urged the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government to immediately accept the legitimate demands of the employees.

He said that government employees are the backbone of the administration of any state. Constantly ignoring their demands and repeatedly forcing them to resort to protests reflects the government's administrative failure. Before coming to power, the Bhagwant Mann government had made several big promises to employees, but today they are repeatedly being forced to take to the streets to fight for their rights. The AAP government makes promises to accept employees' demands during meetings with their organisations, but fails to implement them. The government must set aside its ego, immediately initiate dialogue with employee organisations and ensure a time-bound resolution of their demands.
Khanna said that the common public bears the maximum brunt of strikes by Roadways and PUNBUS employees. Students, working professionals, patients, senior citizens and daily commuters have to face immense difficulties. It is extremely unfortunate that public transport services are disrupted due to the government's negligence. Protecting people from strikes and employees from being forced into protests is a major responsibility of the government.