Srinagar, Jan 15: The recently released merit list of House Surgeons at the Government Dental College (GDC), Srinagar, has drawn criticism from job aspirants, who allege favoritism and discrepancies, raising concerns about the fairness of the recruitment process.
A group of students said the first merit list, issued on January 4, allowed objections until January 10. However, the final list published on January 11 as per them is filled with many errors, discrepancies and irregularities.
“Some students were awarded scores exceeding the total maximum of 6 points, with figures like 7.30 appearing as a numerical impossibility that left many angry,” they said.
Students said that those who raised objections during the official grievance window allege that their concerns have been ignored, while the marks of others who had not filed any objections have been given unexplained increases.
Some students said that eligible candidates that promised four points for their achievement in sports have been reflected in the merit list.
“We have participated in different sports activities and also submitted the required certificates but those have not been reflected in the final list,” they said.
They said that the examination was based on plan question paper, raising questions as to why the OMR sheet based question paper was not framed to make the selection transparent.
“This was a plan question paper and students had to only tick the correct options. Some blue-eyed students were asked to leave the question paper blank and only mention their names, which is shocking,” alleged a student from Srinagar.
They said that they have done the selection according to 2007 rules (which have been modified in 2020). They however said that there have been modifications in rules post Article 370 abrogation and those changes that have been validated in the selection process.
“Those students who have played sports at the national level have not got their due points and the candidates with scholarships have also not got their points,” they said.
They said that students have participated in different co-curricular activities like Independence Day etc. but those points haven’t been reflected in their final selection list
They also alleged the GDC Srinagar for bypassing the Sports Council of India that has given certificates to the students for participation.
However, Prof. (Dr.) Suheel Hamid Latoo, Chairman and Professor at GDC Srinagar, dismissed the allegations made by the students, stating that the final list was prepared solely based on merit.
He stated that the entire recruitment process was conducted in accordance with the selection norms outlined in Government Order No. 706-J&K (H&ME) of 2007, dated January 11, 2007.
About the sports quota, he said points are given to students who represented J&K at national or international levels during their BDS tenure, as verified by J&K Sports Council. “Some parents came to me but their wards were not fulfilling the required criteria,” he said.
“Many students had no degree certificates. Some 500 students had applied for the 30 posts of House Surgeons, those who were not selected will raise queries,” he said.
Prof. Suheel further stated that students with doubts about the selection list are encouraged to file Right to Information (RTI) requests for greater transparency. He added the administration is available to address concerns of students who were not included in the list.
“Everything is transparent. We have specified all the columns as outlined in the list,” he said. “GDC Srinagar students have been given preference under a government order, which we are bound to follow,” he added.
