3,068 dentists vie for 35 medical officers' posts in Punjab health department

Balwant Garg

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Tribune News Service

Faridkot, October 24

Eleven days after there were allegations of “leakage” of a question paper for the recruitment of medical officers (dental) in the state health department, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) on Friday conducted the test afresh.

As many as 3,068 BDS and MDS dentists appeared in this examination for 35 vacancies, including 11 seats for general category. Of the total candidates, the university has declared 1,957 candidates eligible for the post as these candidates have scored a minimum of 33 per cent marks in the written test.

As per the information provided by BFUHS, only 405 candidates have scored more than 50 per cent marks.

“As many as 714 candidates have got 40 to 50 per cent marks and 838 candidates scored 30 to 40 per cent marks, which is the eligibility criteria for the candidates for consideration,” said Dr Raj Bahadur, Vice Chancellor, BFUHS.

Out the 1,957 candidates, the BFUHS will call about 105 candidates for physical verification and the top 35 would be selected by the Department for the appointment.

On October 11, BFUUHS had conducted a test for 1,017 posts of medical officers (general and dental) and pharmacy officers.

About 11,000 candidates had appeared in the recruitment test for 500 posts of medical officers (general), 35 posts of medical officers (dental) and 482 posts of pharmacists on October 11.

After the test, there were allegations of leakage of a question paper for the post of medical officer (dental) from an exam centre at Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran district.

It was alleged that one of the candidates gained entry into the exam hall with a mobile phone. He allegedly used WhatsApp to send the question paper to his brother outside the exam hall.

“BFUHS had cancelled the test conducted for dental officers. We had requested the state government to re-conduct the examination,” said the VC.