Youth protest ‘irregularities’ in Jal Shakti Dept recruitments, demand CBI inquiry

The controversy over the recent recruitment in the Jal Shakti Department, Chamba, continues to escalate as youth protest against alleged irregularities. Led by BJP state secretary Jai Singh, a large group of protesters took to the streets on Thursday, marching from Bharmour Chowk to the Jal Shakti Department Office and staged a sit-in, raising slogans against the department, the state government and the local MLA.

Addressing the protesters, Jai Singh alleged that the recruitment process for 40 posts, including para pump operator, para fitter, and multi-purpose worker, was marred by massive irregularities. He claimed that deserving candidates were unfairly excluded, while unqualified individuals were given jobs, violating established recruitment norms. Singh accused the ruling Congress government of disregarding merit-based selection and favouring its loyalists.

He also alleged that many candidates with higher qualifications and better scores, including over 50 per cent differently-abled individuals, were side-lined. Meanwhile, candidates with lower scores were selected through political influence. The recruitment results, instead of being officially announced, were allegedly shared through WhatsApp, raising suspicions of foul play.

Singh issued a strong warning, stating that if the recruitment was not cancelled, he would push for a CBI inquiry into the matter. He also hinted at intensifying the protests, including road blockades, for which he held the government and the department accountable. Several local residents and youth, who were excluded from the selection process joined the protest, demanding justice. The department had recently filled 11 posts of para-pump operators, four of para-fitters and 25 multipurpose workers.

In response to the allegations, executive engineer Jitender Sharma of the Jal Shakti Department, Chamba, asserted that the recruitment was conducted with complete transparency. He said all appointments followed the rules and guidelines set by the government and the directorate. A screening committee was formed to verify documents and assess candidates based on predetermined criteria.

Despite the department’s clarification, the protests indicate growing dissatisfaction among the youth, with demands for an independent inquiry and potential legal intervention gaining momentum.