High Court dismisses petition seeking to intervene in the selection process of HPPSC
Himachal 6 High Court has dismissed a petition seeking directions to the HP Public Service Commission, and other recruitment agencies and departments of the State Government, to frame rules, and guidelines for Conducting the video recordings of all the selection processes consisting of tests and interviews.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, passed this order on a petition filed by an NGO People for Responsible Governance.
According to the petitioner, there are allegations regarding unfairness of procedure in the selection process by various recruitment agencies or departments.
Petitioner gave some instances where controversies surrounded recruitments made by Public Service Commissions, Subordinate Service Selection Boards, and other recruitment agencies.
The petitioner sought directions from the respondents to frame rules/guidelines for conducting the video recordings of all the selection processes consisting of tests and interviews.
The State Government in its reply submitted that the call is required to be taken by the agencies at their own end; and the Public Service Commission, which is a Constitutional body, knows its responsibility more than anybody else and such a call, if any, as far as practicable, is required to be taken by it.
The H.P. Public Service Commission contended that it has framed its own rule of business and selections are being made on the basis of recruitment rules of concerned departments. H.P University, Shimla, Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and Y.s Parmar University, Nauni, contended that the selection process for various posts is fair and transparent and purely on the basis of prescribed procedure and the selection process.
The respondents submitted that video recording is being done at the time of conduct of written test for selection to various posts, but as regards interviews are concerned. H.P. Public Service Commission raised certain Objections and Court found some of these objections valid.
One such objection interaction discussions between the interview panel and the candidate are confidential in nature: and the videography of the content of the interview and putting it in the public domain would amount to compromising the sanctity of the interview process, which would lead to avoidable multiplicity of litigation.
Taking into consideration the concerns expressed by the State Public Service Commission, and also having regard to the constitutional position enjoyed it, the Court held that no relief can be granted at the instance of the petitioner.
Moreover, all the respondents have submitted that they are following the notification dated 17th April 2017, issued by the State Government, whereby the practice of interview in the selection process for all Class-ll and Class-IV posts has been dispensed with.
