Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has alleged massive irregularities in the Home Guard recruitment examination in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

The Naveen Patnaik-led party has sought a clarification in this regard from the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio. 

While addressing a press conference at the BJD headquarters in the capital city here today, party spokesperson Tumbanath Panda raised questions regarding the transparency in the Home Guard recruitment examination in Ganjam.

2 merit lists were published: BJD

According to Panda, the Ganjam District Home Guard Commandant’s office had published a merit list on March 26 as per the approval of the State Home Guard Directorate.

The list had 135 successful candidates for the appointment of Home Guards for a period of three years.

However, the Ganjam Superintendent of Police (SP), later, posted a fresh merit list on his Instagram account. The two lists did not match, stated Panda.

“The entire process has raised serious questions regarding the transparency in the Home Guard recruitment examination in Ganjam. The Chief Minister should issue a clarification in this regard. The Director General of Police (DGP) in Odisha should also explain whether transparency was maintained throughout the examination process,” said the BJD spokesperson.

Aspirants forced to pay bribes, alleges Oppn party

Panda alleged that some people have collected a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from each home guard aspirant in Ganjam. “Ever since the Double-Engine government came to power in Odisha, youth have been continuously deceived in matters of employment. In the past 20 months, there have been major irregularities in at least 20 examinations under this government. Ganjam district has witnessed the highest number of such examination-related irregularities,” alleged Panda.

The Opposition party has threatened to launch an agitation and file a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) if the government fails to issue a clarification in this regard.