Candidates express dissatisfaction over postponement of exams; question mark over efficiency of OSSSC

Though several candidates applied for appointment in posts like RI, ARI, ICDS Supervisors and AMIN posts seven months ago, the Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) is yet to conduct the examinations. Moreover, the dates of the examinations have been changed seven times in the last seven months. The Commission is still clueless about the final examination dates. Under the circumstances, a question mark has been raised over the efficiency of the OSSSC.

As per reports, the OSSSC had published advertisements for appointment in various posts like RI, ARI, ICDS Supervisors and AMIN posts in December 2023. However, the examination dates have been changed seven times over the last seven months. In response, the candidates staged a demonstration at the OSSSC office on Saturday expressing dissatisfaction over the development. They demanded that dates for all the examinations should be announced at the earliest and those should be conducted off-line.

Making things worse, though examinations for the posts of ANMs were conducted seven months ago, the result is yet to be announced. In response, ANM candidates also staged a protest on Friday.

“The OSSSC doesn’t have any stipulated time for the examinations. Candidates are getting frustrated as they are going beyond the age limit by waiting for the examinations for a long time,” rued Kailash Chandra Sahu, a candidate.

“At least the OSSSC should conduct the examinations in time,” said Sonalika Mohanty, another candidate.

The OSSSC had reportedly published an advertisement for appointments in a total of 2,629 posts in December 2023 and the candidates started applying from February 2024. However, it has only been informed on the OSSSC website that written examinations for the posts of AMINs will be conducted in September. No information is available about the other examinations on the website. Though examinations for the posts of Foresters, Forest Guards and LSI were conducted seven months ago, their results are yet to be announced. Similarly, an examination for the posts of 253 ANMs has been conducted and certificates have already been verified. However, the final merit list is yet to be announced.

“We have been getting harassed and our future has been pushed into uncertainty,” said an ANM candidate.

In response, the OSSSC officials refused to give any comment, saying that all the information is available on the website.

Meanwhile, former Chairman of OSSSC, Bijay Patnaik said that it’s the duty of both the government and the OSSSC to look after the interest of the candidates.

“Candidates should not be kept in doubt about the date of the examinations for their preparation point of view. Government should ask the concerned authorities to inform the candidates about the date of the examinations well ahead of time,” said Patnaik.