Putting an end to opacity, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB) in a first of its kind initiative, has begun allotment of departments to the shortlisted candidates on merit.

Disclosing, PSSSB chairman Raman Behl said that the Board conducts exams for the recruitment to Group C posts for various departments of the State Government. “Earlier, after the exams, the Departments were allotted to the shortlisted candidates randomly. This methodology lacked transparency, and hence, the candidates were sceptical about the allotments,” he said.

He said that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has always believed in fair, transparent and merit based selections. “Goaded by his concern for the youth and his commitment towards them, Chief Minister sought the allotment of departments to candidates shortlisted by the Board to be done on merit basis,” he said.

Behl said that as in the Civil Services exams, the candidates are asked to give their priorities. “Similarly, the candidates shortlisted through written exams conducted by SSSB now have the option of choosing the department of their choice,” he said.

PSSSB chairman that total of 48 departments are available for clerks to opt from and 28 for the steno-typists.

“These departments are displayed on the Board’s website, out of which every candidate is permitted to list six options. After the success in exam, the candidates are allotted department out of their given option with topper in the merit list getting an option to choose first,” he said.

He said that not only will the “merit prevail in this new system but it will also go a long way in restoring the faith of youth in the fairness of the system”. Besides, this will minimise litigation as it will involve zero discretion of SSSB authorities and every candidate would be aware as to why he was allotted a particular department, he said.

Talking of other reforms in the selection process, he said that typing test conducted for the clerical post is now followed by on-the-spot computerised result to the candidates on completing the test, with complete details of type speed and errors made in the test.