Recruitment in ICDS and ASHA - SDOs/ BDOs may invoke proactive dislcosure under RTI to ensure transparency

We have completed the recruitment of ASHA under NRHM in the selected blocks and list is likely to be approved by the State Govt by October, 2009. It is yet to be finalised in two to three blocks. More than dozen high court cases were filed against the selection committees last year for lack of transparency and unjustified  & unfair interview marking to eliminate meritoriuos candidates or deprivation of deserving candidates. Complaints against the recruitment irregularties were mainly on two grounds :-

1. 
   
   At the time of application some of the candidates not generally the residents of the sevice area of the sub centre were allowed to apply and were selected also showing false documents or acquired documents. In some cases, to eliminate the candidate with high marks in Madhyamik, applications were wrongly rejected on residential status grounds. It is the residential status at the time of application which is important, but always confused with the permanent residence/ domicile in case of married women living with in laws, not with parents place which is located in the sub centre service area or vice versa.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Selection committee comprising of GP Prodhan, BDO's nominee, Health Supervisor, ANM conducts interview for 20 marks, while 80 marks is assigned for marks obtained in the MP (only compulsory subjects). It is found that some of the GP Prodhans and health personnel awarded zero or less than 1 mark out of 20 to the candidates having highest marks in MP examination so as to eliminate her from the selection. Even, marks as low as 0.001, 0.01, 0.04 were awarded by only two members out of four in several blocks, which is not only unjustified but against principles of natural justice.
   
   
   

It is suggested that Block level Health & Family Welfare Samity must do perform their duties sincerely while scrutinising the panels prepared by GPs. It is often stated that the selection committee at GP is well within their rights to award zero marks or near zero marks as per guidelines. It is true, but unethical and unfair to the deserving candidates. SDOs/ BDOs can issue advise to the selection committee and block samities to publish the panel showing the marks obtained by the candidates in interview and MP examination under proactive disclosure of RTI. Even candidates can be encouraged to seek such information under RTI. We must ensure trasnparency and fairness in selection.

1784 additional ICDS centres have been sanctioned in our district in August 2009. Recruitments shall take place by December 2009. Project level selection committee must ensure transaparency in selection process and disclose the present panel, vacancies. They must also publish the panel showing marks obtained in written and interview.