Vet graduates seek transparency in assistant surgeons’ recruitment

In the petition to the chief secretary and Secretary of Animal Husbandry department, Dr Balaji Murugesan, coordinator, Tamilnadu Veterinary Graduates Federation said that the Animal Husbandry Department has invited applications from BVSc graduates willing to work anywhere in Tamil Nadu on contract agreement basis for a period of 11 months or till such time regular candidates selected through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission or any other agencies or recruited to replace them. 

The candidate should have been born on or after September 05, 1960, with a valid registration with Veterinary Council of India (as per Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984). While the recruitment process is underway there are a lot of controversies following the process. The notification for the vacancy of veterinary assistant surgeon on contract basis was released on September 5. 

The administrators however, did not publish the details on the total number of vacancies and selection procedures in the notification. It was mentioned that community and physically challenged details are not mandatory. The federation pointed out that this violates reservation and quota policies supported by constitutional mandate.

Publishing the indicators for academic performance, experience, interview and employment seniority entrusted with the selection committee will ensure ethical practice. The panel, for the appointments, should be unbiased and free from subjectivity and there are allegations from aspiring youngsters that large-scale irregularities are involved in the process. 

Under such circumstances, identifying and relieving those with vested interests from the selection panel will ensure unbiased recruitment process, the statement said. “Already a case is pending before Supreme Court filed by senior assistant surgeons due to failure of State evolving a transparent recruitment policy. As many as 555 veterinary surgeons are now serving in department based on an Apex Court appeal,” Balaji said.