Petition seeks videography of PPSC interviews

Tribune News Service

Moga, October 12

A local resident has filed public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking issuance of directions to the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) to maintain records of questions and answers in the interviews to be conducted by it through video-recording or in any other manner.

The writ petition, filed by Sandeep Singh of Moga, came up for hearing before a division Bench of the HC, comprising Justices Ajay Kumar Mittal and Amit Rawal, today.

The petitioner submitted that a High Court Bench had issued directions to the HPSC (Haryana Public Service Commission) in July, 2009, that it must maintain records of questions and answers in the interviews to be conducted by it through video-recording or in any other manner.

In accordance with that judgment, the petitioner demanded that the PPSC must also be issued similar directions.

The petitioner referred to various scams involving recruitment in which the PPSC was involved from time to time. He mentioned a scam by Ravi Sidhu, who was later convicted; a scam involving recruitment of 312 doctors, where a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was set up by the HC, which concluded large-scale bungling in giving marks for social service and interview; and exchange of SMS messages between candidates and some members of the PPSC. Thus, need for issuing such directions to the PPSC for video-recording of interviews was necessary to maintain transparency, the petitioner added.

While adjourning the PIL to October 30 for further arguments, the HC Bench ordered to take the judgment of the earlier division Bench in relation to the HPSC on record on the next date of hearing.