Chandigarh: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh, along with candidates who appeared for the PCS examinations, on Friday accused Aam Aadmi Party govt of playing with the future of Punjab’s youth by failing to ensure transparency in the recruitment process. Raising questions over alleged irregularities in the PCS Mains examination results, they demanded an immediate, transparent and impartial inquiry into the matter.Pargat said thousands of candidates in Punjab had prepared for the examination with years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. However, the serious questions being raised since the declaration of the results indicated a lack of transparency in the recruitment process, he added.He said it was govt’s responsibility to protect the rights of every candidate and ensure that any irregularity in the recruitment process was thoroughly investigated.The PCS candidates said that since the results were declared on Nov 4, several questions had come to light that required clear answers from govt. They demanded that the correct and complete attendance list of all candidates who appeared for the examination be made public and that a detailed list of selected candidates, including their roll numbers, categories and marks obtained, be released. They also sought the release of complete category-wise results in a transparent manner and insisted that no ineligible candidate be included in the next stage. Further, they demanded an independent inquiry into any increase or reduction in marks, or any other suspicious action, in the Punjabi paper, along with strict and exemplary action against officials found responsible and guilty.Pargat said the govt recruitment process was directly linked to the future of the youth and the credibility of Punjab’s administrative services. Govt should, therefore, provide clear answers to all questions without delay. He said the Punjab Congress stood with the hardworking candidates at every stage and would use every legal and democratic means to protect their rights.All leaders are togetherPargat dismissed reports of a boycott by supporters of former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring at a rally in Ludhiana, saying there was no such issue and that the absence of some leaders could be due to their unavailability.Responding to a question about reports that Warring’s supporters had boycotted the rally over not receiving invitations, Pargat said, “There is no such thing. Nobody has boycotted the rally. Sometimes, a person may not be available. I don’t think there is any such issue.”On possible SAD-BJP allianceOn the possibility of an alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP, Pargat said the two parties had suffered political damage and questioned the credibility of such a political arrangement.He said the two parties had been together earlier but parted ways following the three farm laws and the deaths of around 750 farmers during the farmers’ agitation, under pressure from the people.He also took a swipe at political leaders, including senior Akali leader Prem Singh Chandumajra, alleging that many leaders had failed to stand by their positions. Pargat said the movement of leaders from one political camp to another reflected a credibility crisis in Punjab’s politics.“Today, leaders are moving from one side to another. This shows that there is a credibility crisis among political leaders in Punjab. People no longer trust them because they say one thing today and something else tomorrow,” he said.
