Shimla, Dec 25,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has raised concern regarding the government’s approach to outsourcing recruitment, citing a lack of adherence to proper procedures. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya is examining allegations of irregularities, favoritism, and a lack of transparency in the outsourced recruitment process.
A notable issue brought up during the proceedings involved a company engaged in selling phenyl being assigned the responsibility of recruiting nurses, underlining a mismatch between the company’s expertise and the recruitment tasks. The court observed that the state government appears to lack well-defined rules or parameters for outsourcing such critical processes.
The bench referred to central government guidelines stipulating that only Class IV posts should be outsourced. However, in Himachal Pradesh, the practice has extended to Class III posts, raising questions about its fairness and adherence to standard recruitment norms. The court emphasized that this practice may disadvantage deserving and qualified candidates.
In November this year, the bench directed the Electronics Corporation of Himachal Pradesh to clarify its role in the outsourcing process. Dissatisfied with the state government’s response, the judges called for a more transparent and accountable system.
In a bid to enhance transparency, the court has ordered the publication of all data related to outsourced recruitment on a public website. This includes details of the companies involved and the candidates selected.
The petition under review, filed by JK Enterprises, alleges that several companies tasked with recruitment lack the necessary expertise or credentials. It claims that around 110 unverified companies have been identified in the state. Furthermore, the petition highlights financial irregularities, stating that the Electronics Corporation of Himachal Pradesh charges a 5% commission for recruitment, with 2.5% retained by the corporation itself.
The petitioner also pointed out that companies are required to pay ₹50,000 for empanelment, a practice that allegedly contravenes the Financial Rules of 2009. The petition noted that this arrangement creates unfair competition and undermines recruitment quality.
In response, the State government, through its Advocate General, requested the court to lift the ban on outsourced recruitment. The Advocate General assured the formation of a committee to oversee the process and ensure transparency. However, the court expressed doubts about these assurances, stressing the need for concrete measures.
The case will be heard again on December 31, with the court directing the government to present a detailed plan addressing irregularities and ensuring equitable recruitment. It also instructed the Electronics Corporation of Himachal Pradesh to provide a clear explanation of the empanelment process and the assignment of recruitment responsibilities.
This ongoing case sheds light on critical lapses in recruitment practices, urging the state to implement a more structured and transparent framework.
