A petitioner has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Punjab government’s recruitment examination for 454 pharmacy officers, alleging significant security failures. The claims include the use of Bluetooth devices and a pen camera by candidates to facilitate cheating. According to Keshav, one of the petitioners, this situation highlights a “complete system failure” and suggests that the Punjab government is trying to minimise the issue rather than taking accountability.

The allegations occur in the context of a continuing legal dispute surrounding the recruitment process. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently put a stay on the appointments of the pharmacy officers, as well as on the recruitment of Block Programme Managers and Cluster Coordinators. This legal action follows concerns raised about cheating, irregularities, and the lack of transparency in how the evaluation was conducted.

Inadequate Security Measures Reported

Keshav also described various inadequacies regarding the examination process. Candidates were reportedly instructed to arrive at the examination centre at 8 am but were only allowed entry around 10 am. He highlighted security checks at the entrance as insufficient, indicating that only a small number of candidates were thoroughly checked while the majority gained access without proper screening.

Moreover, Keshav stated that police arrived at the examination centre only after the examination had concluded and the OMR sheets had been collected. Allegations emerged that two or three candidates were later apprehended when Bluetooth devices were found in their possession. This has raised further alarm regarding the efficacy of the security measures in place.

The petitioner also claimed that an interstate cheating syndicate was involved, using a pen-shaped camera to capture images of the examination questions, which were then sent via WhatsApp to operatives in Bhiwani, Haryana. He asserted that answers were subsequently sent back to candidates using Bluetooth technology, further revealing the depth of the alleged cheating methods.

Call for Accountability and Investigation

The petitioner expressed that the repeated allegations of paper leaks and inconsistencies in the process have undermined the confidence of many genuine aspirants in the recruitment system. He conveyed his intent to seek justice through the High Court, advocating for a thorough and impartial inquiry to safeguard the academic futures of countless students.

The Punjab government has yet to publicly address these specific allegations. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where the matter is under review.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share