'Can't let candidates be taken for a ride'; SC pulls up PSC for changing eligibility criteria

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court lashed out at the Kerala PSC for changing its stance on the basic qualification for the post of LD Clerk in the Kerala Water Authority. A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Sanjay Kumar advised PSC to show moral standards and honesty considering their status.

“There should be consistency and transparency in the stand. Do not play hide and seek in front of the court and don’t take the candidates for a ride." warned the court.

After filing a case in the High Court regarding the eligibility of the candidates and getting a verdict in favour, PSC kicked up a controversy after including diploma holders in the rank list. The High Court had to issue an order to expel the diploma holders from the list. this forced the diploma holders to move to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court strongly criticized the PSC by rejecting the petition

• As per the notification issued on 12th July 2012, the eligibility was Graduation and Data Entry and Office Automation Certificate from Government recognized institutes like LBS, IHRD.

• A group of candidates approached the High Court asking that those with higher qualifications be considered for the post.

• However, the PSC took a favourable decision not to recognize Diploma in Computer Application (DCA).

• But, the rank list was published including the diploma holders. The other candidates approached court and the single bench ordered PSC to publish the rank list excluding the diploma holders.