The recent selection of 216 General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) by the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) has sparked widespread criticism after it emerged that several candidates had scored extremely low marks in the recruitment exam.
The Human Rights Commission has intervened, recommending that the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department put on hold the appointment of candidates who secured 30 marks or less out of 100.
TPSC had released the selection list on August 13, following which Chief Minister Manik Saha congratulated the candidates on social media. However, reports revealed that some selected candidates scored as low as 14, 19, 20 and 21 out of 100.
Expressing concern, Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) Chairman Justice Arindam Lodh stated in his order that such appointments would endanger the right to proper healthcare, which falls under fundamental rights. “If TPSC recommends the names of candidates who secured less than 30 out of 100, it means playing with the life of the citizens of the state, which is not expected from a benevolent organization like TPSC,” he remarked.
Justice Lodh further noted that the decision could severely affect the future quality of health services in the state. The Commission has directed that appointments of doctors with 30 marks or below be kept in abeyance until further orders.
Additionally, reports have been sought from the Director of Health and Family Welfare and the TPSC Secretary, to be submitted by August 26.
