WBSSC: “New Blueprint for Corruption” – Lawyer Bikash Ranjan Over Recruitment Notification
WBSSC: After a long wait, the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) has finally published the new teacher recruitment notification. However, this announcement has immediately sparked fresh controversy. Lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya has leveled serious allegations against the state regarding this new recruitment process. According to him, this notification is nothing but a new blueprint to further facilitate corruption.
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya’s Main Allegations:
In an interview, lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya clearly stated that the notification issued as per the Chief Minister’s announcement on May 30th is actually a well-planned step to avoid recruitment and further encourage corruption. In his words, “This entire notification is about reintroducing the corrupt process.”
His main objections are:
- Reduced Importance of Academic Scores and Emphasis on Interviews: Bhattacharya alleges that the new rules reduce the importance of academic marks and place more emphasis on interviews. This, he claims, will create opportunities for nepotism and increasing marks in exchange for money. He said, “Those who pay will get more marks in the interview, those who don’t will get fewer. This is a grand corrupt plan.”
- Marks for Previous Experience: The notification allocates 10 marks for previous experience. According to the lawyer, this is a way to favor those candidates whose jobs were previously canceled due to corruption.
- Reduction in Written Exam Marks (Classes XI-XII): For classes XI-XII, the marks for the OMR-based written examination have been reduced, which he believes will hinder the assessment of merit.
- Devaluation of Merit: In his opinion, this new rule is a conspiracy to benefit the corrupt by sacrificing merit. “It’s a plan to save those who can survive through corruption by sacrificing merit.”
- Possibility of Legal Challenges: Bhattacharya believes that deserving and meritorious candidates will undoubtedly challenge this notification in court.
Background of Recruitment Corruption:
It is noteworthy that extensive allegations of corruption arose regarding the 2016 SSC recruitment process, and the case went up to the Supreme Court. Many teachers’ jobs were canceled by the order of the Calcutta High Court. Recently, the Supreme Court upheld that verdict, albeit with some modifications. Those who lost their jobs previously were advised to participate in the new recruitment process.
Recent Events and the Role of the Police:
Lawyer Bhattacharya further alleged that the democratic movement of job aspirants is being suppressed by the police. A planned procession of job seekers at Sealdah station was dispersed by the police even before it began, and several people were detained. He said, “As the Chief Minister’s veil of corruption is being exposed, the police’s tactics are changing.” According to him, the police have turned into a “police state” and are obstructing peaceful democratic movements. He also mentioned that opposition parties are usually not granted permission by the police for any programs, forcing them to approach the courts. Bhattacharya emphasized that police permission is not required for peaceful assembly, as it is a constitutional right.
Details of the New Notification:
- Total Vacancies: 35,726 (23,212 at the secondary level and 12,514 at the higher secondary level).
- Date of Notification Publication: May 30, 2025.
- Online Registration: June 16 to July 14, 2025.
- Tentative Exam Date: First week of September 2025.
- Recruitment Process: Written examination and interview.
This new recruitment notification and the allegations raised by lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya have caused a significant stir in the state’s educational and political circles. The thousands of job aspirants and the general public in the state will be watching to see which direction this controversy takes in the coming days.
