‘Can’t throw out candidates for smudging answer sheets’

‘Can’t throw out candidates for smudging answer sheets’

Highly Inequitable To Dismiss Efforts Over Scratches: HC

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:08.10.2021

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that it would be highly inequitable to throw the candidates for competitive examinations out at the threshold on account of having smudged a particular answer and the fact that there were vacancies as such. The HC has passed these orders while directing the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) to evaluate the OMR sheet of a woman candidate, who had appeared for the post of Physical Training Instructor (PTI) examination but her answer sheet, was not evaluated because one of the answers was smudged/scratched by her on the sheet.

Justice G S Sandhawalia passed these orders while allowing a petition filed by Suman Devi, who was a candidate for the post of PTI teacher in Haryana. She had appeared for the written examination held on August 23, 2020, but her answer sheet was not evaluated by the HSSC as one of the answers was found to be smudged and there was a cutting as such.

The petitioner has stated in her writ petition that she was an earlier appointee against the initial advertisement and got selected on April 30, 2010, and had worked in the department for around 10 years. However, her previous selection was set aside by the HC as well as the apex court. Thereafter, the entire selection process was to be redone while giving a chance to the earlier appointees.

The petitioner was a candidate under BCB category, for which 216 posts had been advertised and, required 45% marks to secure minimum qualifying prescribed marks in the written test. It was pointed out by the petitioner, who appeared in person, that on account of scratching and smudging of one of the questions on the OMR sheet, her question paper has not been evaluated.

The HC was informed that the commission has given certain benefits, as such, to candidates for certain questions and if the said benefit is given, the petitioner would make the grade of 90 marks. “Resultantly, the HSSC, is directed to ensure that if the petitioner has made the qualifying cut after deleting the benefit which is to be awarded against the smudged questions, result be declared and the same benefits be given,” the HC has ordered while allowing her plea.

The HC passed these orders while directing the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) to evaluate the OMR sheet of a woman candidate