IMPHAL, July 1: Opposition leader I Ibohalbi Singh has raised a Calling Attention Motion in the House today urging relaxation by some years in the upper age limit of general candidates in the Manipur Civil Services Examination.
Five years each are relaxed for Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Schedule Caste (SC) while three years is relaxed for other backward classes (OBC) and for handicapped persons there is 10 years relaxation in the upper age limits for MCS exam. As it is going to be conducted every year, relax some years for the general candidates too,” the opposition leader observed.
He further asked to consider another “one time relaxation” to give an opportunity for the unemployed educated youths in the state. The state government had considered a “one time relaxation” last time. However, the last time the exam was conducted was in 2010 and there were no examinations in 2011 and 2012, he said.
Answering the Calling Attention Motion, Chief Minister Ibobi said that in the 2010 examination, the upper age limit for general candidates was relaxed to five years and one of the main reasons for the relaxation was because of the failure to conduct the examination every year.
Besides, it a long process to conduct the recruitment examination and so, it does takes time. To ease from all these inconveniences, the examinations will be conducted on a combined basis. And above all this, it will be conducted like the way Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducted. So, it is not feasible to keep relaxing the upper age limits, he observed in his answer.
A onetime relaxation of five years has been done last time and no further relaxation will be considered. However, what can be done will be looked into, the CM said.
The opposition leader asking further said “Will the Chief Minister be pleased to state whether it’s a fact that the Government of Manipur held the review DPC for promotion of 14 Jr MCS (Sr Gr) to Jr MCS (SL Gr) on August 4, 2012, whether it is also a fact that the recommendation of the said review DPC was not implemented by the concerned dept and if so, the reasons thereof?”
Replying to the opposition leader, CM Ibobi said that the 14 Junior MCS of Senior Grade will be promoted to Selection Grade Junior MCS before August 3.
Replying further, the Chief Minister said that most of the recommendations of the said review DPC have been implemented.
However, following acceptance of the recommendations and reversion of four officers, a proposal is under consideration to amend the Jr MCS rules. Approval of the cabinet is being awaited, he added.