RANCHI: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren‘s decision to pause for three days the ongoing recruitment drive for 583 excise constables triggered road blockades in Giridih on Tuesday, with aspirants still to appear for physical tests fearing their chances could be scuppered by uncertainty over death of 12 job-seekers in as many days.
Soren’s directive to “set things right” before resuming physical tests, held across seven centres since Aug 22, came after backlash against the JMM-led govt for deaths caused by suspected “heat exhaustion” during 10km endurance run in hot and humid conditions.
Some protesters who blocked roads said they are being made to pay the price for allegedly shoddy planning. Sergeant Major Rajesh Ranjan of excise dept tried to placate the agitated job aspirants, saying physical tests is postponed and not cancelled. After much persuasion, protesters cleared the road.
State govt is yet to notify or announce the composition of the committee that is supposed to end the impasse. “Amending the existing rules at this juncture will lead to a slew of legal and other complications,” an official said.