High Court Demands OPSC Secretary’s Appearance Over Dental Surgeon Recruitment Controversy

INDIA: OPSC (Odisha Public Service Commission) Secretary Satyabrata Ray has been summoned to appear personally before the court on November 25 regarding an ongoing dispute over dental surgeon recruitment, according to a report from the Times of India.

Court Expresses Dissatisfaction with Selection Process

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho, has voiced serious concerns about the recruitment process. “We are not satisfied with the manner in which the OPSC conducted the proceedings in the present case. We are still not aware of what the revised merit list is based on,” the bench stated, directing the OPSC secretary’s personal appearance.

Background of the Recruitment Drive

The controversy stems from a 2018 recruitment initiative when OPSC advertised 198 positions for dental surgeons in the Group-A (junior) category of Odisha Medical Services (Dental) cadre. Following a written examination conducted on May 6, 2018, the commission initially recommended 171 candidates for appointment on August 9, 2018.

Expert Committee Findings and Merit List Revision

The recruitment process faced challenges when unsuccessful candidates contested their non-selection, citing incorrect answers in the examination. In response to these representations, an expert committee was formed to review the answers. Their report, submitted on October 5, 2018, identified 12 incorrect answers in the examination, necessitating a revision of candidates’ marks.

Current Legal Standing

The case has taken several turns through the judicial system. Following a single judge’s order on February 23, 2022, directing a revision of the merit list based on the expert committee’s findings, OPSC filed a writ petition challenging this decision on May 16. The current proceedings reflect the court’s growing frustration with OPSC’s failure to submit the revised merit list despite repeated orders.

This ongoing case highlights the complexities surrounding public service recruitment processes and the judiciary’s role in ensuring fair selection procedures in public sector appointments.