Today marks the fourth consecutive day of the peaceful dharna being held by the 180 selected Psychologist candidates outside the Directorate of Health Services, Sector-34, Chandigarh. The candidates continue to demand the restoration of the recruitment process and issuance of appointment letters on the basis of the duly prepared final merit list.
The recruitment process for 343 posts of Psychologists was conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences through a transparent and merit-based process. Written examinations, counselling and document verification were completed, and the final merit list was prepared. Thereafter, instead of issuing appointment letters, the Government cancelled the recruitment process and simultaneously proposed recruitment through outsourcing.
The selected candidates have already challenged this arbitrary action before the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, where the Court passed an interim order directing that appointments through outsourcing shall not be made until the next date of hearing.
Despite the matter being sub judice and despite repeated representations, no concrete decision has yet been taken. The uncertainty has caused immense financial hardship and mental distress to the selected candidates and their families.
The candidates reiterate that:
The recruitment process was completed in accordance with the prescribed rules.
No irregularity in the selection process has been established.
A duly completed merit-based recruitment cannot be discarded arbitrarily.
The Government must restore the recruitment process and issue appointment letters to the selected candidates without further delay.
The ongoing dharna is entirely peaceful and democratic. The candidates remain committed to continuing their protest until justice is done and their legitimate appointments are restored.
Our demands are simple:
Restore the cancelled recruitment process.
Honour the final merit list.
Issue appointment letters to the 180 selected Psychologists.
Stop replacing duly selected candidates with outsourcing.
