HC directs TNPSC to publish test results

Chennai , Jul 15: Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, (TNPSC) to publish results within two weeks of the written test held in July 2007 to recruit motor Vehicle Inspectors.

Allowing a batch of writ petitions, Mr Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar quashed a state Government Order (GO) dated, March 6, 2008, for filling up 65 temporary vacancies of motor vehicle inspectors. ''The state government's move to appoint 65 mechanical engineering graduates as temporary Motor Vehicle Inspectors was ''impermissible'', the judge observed.

The TNPSC had first issued a notification in February 2007, to fill up 49 permanent vacancies of motor vehicle inspectors. Though the written test was conducted on July 29, 2007, the results are yet to be declared.

Later, in a new GO, the state government reasoned that since recruitment of candidates for regular posts would take at least another ten months, temporary candidates could handle regular jobs till the process was completed.

Though mechanical engineering Diploma-holders were eligible to apply for regular vacancies, the GO stipulated that for temporary vacancies, candidates should have studied B E Mechanical Engineering and also deposit a sum of Rs five lakh before joining duty.

In a batch of 58 petitions challenging these provisions, Diploma holders submitted that instead of expediting the selection process initiated about a year ago, the state government arbitrarily decided to recruit temporary candidates.

They also submitted that demanding a security for Rs five lakh would put candidates from underprivileged families at a large.

UNI