Title - Youth's SOS to PMO for job - The Times of India

PATNA: Shocked at the apathetic attitude of Gorakhpur Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), one Amit Priya Ranjan of Phulwari who was selected for the post of assistant diesel driver in 2005, sent an SOS to the PM's Office (PMO), New Delhi, on Saturday for its intervention in the matter to save his career.

Ranjan, son of a farmer, said he had appeared at the written examination held on November 21, 2004, conducted by Gorakhpur RRB. After publication of the results, he had successfully appeared at the psychological test held in July 2005. Railways had even conducted medical test and verified his testimonials on October 5, 2005. While candidates from other states were posted at different places after completion of training, he has been denied posting so far on the plea that his degree of Intermediate-level vocational course from Bihar Intermediate Education Council did not meet the eligibility criteria for appointment in railways, he said.

Taking up the matter with the RRB, Gorakhpur, the Bihar Intermediate Education Council had informed the board on November 3, 2006 about the eligibility of Ranjan, maintaining the holders of two-year vocational course degree were at par with those who had passed Industrial Training Institute (ITI).

Interestingly, the RRB, Gorakhpur, recently appointed a candidate from Naubatpur, Patna, on the post of assistant diesel driver on the basis of same vocational degree from Bihar Intermediate Education Council and he has been now posted on duty at Chhapra under NE Railway, Ranjan claimed.

According to Ranjan, the RRB cannot adopt a 'dual criteria' for appointment in railways. "Railways will have to do justice to me. I have been waiting for posting for about five years. If I did not meet eligibility criteria, railways should not have declared my results, including that of psychological test and medical examination," he said.

The assistant secretary of RRB, Gorakhpur, said railways has fixed the eligibility for the selection to the post of diesel driver as ITI pass. Railways would look into the cases of candidates holding degree awarded by Bihar Intermediate Education Council in vocational courses, he said, adding the office has no information about delay in the case of Ranjan.