Ahead of polls, govt on vacancy-filling overdrive

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections when the job scenario could be an issue, the BJP-led government on Wednesday announced that it will be filling 76,578 vacancies in central para-military forces in the coming days.

At present, according to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the paramilitary forces have 84,037 vacancies with the CRPF leading the pack with 22,980 vacancies.

The latest drive would clear almost 92% of the vacancies and would be sending a signal ahead of the polls. Last month, Finance and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said the Indian Railways has decided to recruit 2.3 lakh people in the next two years besides another 1.5 lakh people who have been selected last year.

According to a statement issued by the MHA, it has launched a “massive recruitment drive” to fill 76,578 vacancies in paramilitary forces by “completing all the necessary groundwork”.

Out of these, 54,953 vacancies are for the post of constable, including 7,646 women, and the direct recruitment is going to be made through the Staff Selection Commission, which will conduct a computer-based written examination for a month from February 11 to March 11.

Of the 54,953 vacancies for constable post, the CRPF has the maximum 21,566 vacancies, followed by BSF (16,984), SSB (8,546), ITBP (4,126) and Assam Rifles (3,076) among others.

At the level of sub-inspector, there are 1,073 vacancies, including 38 for women, in various forces. BSF has 508 vacancies, followed by the CRPF (274), SSB (206) and ITBP (85). Direct Recruitment for these posts also will be made by the SSC through a written examination from March 12 to 16.

For 466 vacancies for the Assistant Commandant post, direct recruitment will be made through the UPSC. Short-listed candidates, who have cleared the written examination, will start appearing for the physical/medical examination from February 25, the statement said.

In addition, it added, 20,086 vacancies pertain to promotional posts and in other cadres such as tradesman, ministerial, medical, paramedical, communication and engineering are also being filled.