State Human Resources Development (HRD) department Minister Geetashree Oraon's objection to the consideration of the eligibility of candidates cracking 2013's Jharkhand Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) TET in Bhojpuri language has attracted huge criticism from across a section of political leaders in the State. The Minister has raised objections to the recruitment of candidates who had passed the exam with Bhojpuri language in the regional language category.
"This is merely a plan to hinder the social security and a proof to show self-inefficiency. I personally feel that all the TET candidates who have cleared the examination must be recruited as per mentioned regulation," former Assembly Speaker CP Singh said.
Conducted on April 26, 2013 by Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), the result of the examination was published on May 27, 2013. Then, 65, 439 candidates had cleared the exam for 18,000 government schoolteachers' posts. The remaining formalities are still at a pause for these successful candidates. Talks to hold the interview after this are going on. This recruitment will be done to improve the education status at high school level across the state.
"TET passed candidates have been constantly requesting the government to notify their recruitment at the earliest. This is a new way of diverting their mind and linger the process. All the languages are of equal importance. There is no question of differentiation" JVM leader Pradeep Yadav said.
Former MP and BJP leader Ajay Maroo said, "This is a new way of flashing self in the news since government has failed to prove its efficiency."
Nonetheless, the future of such Bhojpuri subject passed candidates is in doldrums.
JAC sources said that the TET examinations were conducted under rules framed by the State Government. The rules allowed the students to opt for Bhojpuri as a regional language adding there is no anomaly in allowing the Bhojpuri speaking students.
However, Oraon feels encouraging such non-regional language students would not be justified for this state's tribal and regional language subject candidates.
Favouring the state domicile policy, which is just a word of mouth in Jharkhand, the HRD Minister on Monday said, "Today if, we encourage Bhojpuri language candidates in our service examinations, tomorrowthey might demand for post creation. That would be discriminating with the original residents of the state. Compared to the domicile criteria of other states, large numbers of outstation candidates occupy seats than our own natives." About 18 language subjects were included in this TET examination including Kurukh, Kharia, Mundari, Asur, Birhor, Ho, Bhumij, Santhali, Malto, Kurmali,
Nagpuri, Panchparganiya, Bengali, Oriya, Maghi, Bhojpuri, Khortha and Angika."Though the Domicile Policy of Jharkhand has still not been framed but we will work on its framing in the coming days so that it is implemented for the betterment of our own people," Geetashree added.
Geetashree expressed these views in context to the woes of the last held Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination wherein more than 50 per cent candidates were from outside the state. She said, "You can take the example of any state except Jharkhand. It is clearly mentioned that five percent seats are reserved for candidates outside the state. Moreover, Bhojpuri is a language of Bihar. Neither is it the second language of Jharkhand. Such Bhojpuri passed candidates much seek their preference in Bihar."
A senior officer of JAC, on the issue, said, 'We are a subordinate body established under the state government and are bound to follow HRD Minister's instruction since she is the exact authority to take decision. No official notification has been given to us on this specific statement. Till now whatever is known is spread through the local newspapers."