By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The allocation of a 25-mark quota for engineering graduates applying for the position of Assistant Engineer in Bihar has caused considerable confusion. The state government has provisions to award a maximum weightage of 25 marks to contract Assistant Engineers, allowing for five marks for each year of experience, up to a maximum of five years. However, instead of receiving the full 25 marks, these contract engineers are receiving only 25% of this weightage in the recruitment process for permanent positions, disadvantaging fresh graduates.
Shivchandra Kumar, a resident of Saharsa, expressed his concerns, stating that while there is a provision for awarding a maximum of 25 marks for contract workers in the BPSC Assistant Engineer recruitment, government officials have instead converted this into a percentage. He noted that 133 marks have been incorrectly calculated as 25% of the total 400 marks available in the examination, questioning the validity of this calculation.
The experience gained by contract workers is factored into the percentage, resulting in skewed results; for instance, a candidate scoring 195 marks topped the exam while another scoring 307 marks came seventh. Kumar highlighted that since 2017, no combined vacancies for Assistant Engineers have been announced in the state, and any interim vacancies in different departments have similarly favoured contract workers, sidelining fresh candidates.
Candidates have called for the government to clarify whether the original notification regarding the 25 marks or the newly applied 25% weightage is correct. They argue for an urgent release of Assistant Engineer vacancies to provide opportunities for the thousands of unemployed engineering graduates in the state.
Anvi, an engineering graduate from Samastipur, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The government is mocking engineering students with its flawed calculations. Instead of adding 25 marks, they are counting 25% of the total score. This leads to scenarios where candidates scoring over 300 marks fail, while those with only 175 marks pass.”
He elaborated, “You can’t combine 70 cows and 30 buffaloes and expect a total of 100 cows. The marks are being miscalculated, which unfairly benefits contract workers at the expense of fresh candidates.”
Student leader Dilip accused government officials of intentionally creating confusion to favour contract workers in their bid to become permanent employees. He demanded an investigation into the apparent irregularities in the marking process and insisted that the original 25-mark weightage be upheld.
Dilip also pointed out that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, himself an engineer, has failed to provide job opportunities for engineering graduates from the institutions he established. He urged the government to announce permanent vacancies for Assistant Engineers as per a set calendar, allowing unemployed graduates to find work in their respective fields.
