Himachal CM Sukhu announces New Staff Selection Commission in 2 months

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced a significant move to enhance transparency and fairness in the state's selection process for government jobs. He unveiled plans to establish a new entity called 'Rajya Chayan Aayog' (State Selection Commission) within the next two months. This decision comes in response to concerns about corruption within the former Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC), which was disbanded earlier this year due to a paper leak scandal.

Fighting corruption and ensuring merit-based selection

Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized his government's commitment to creating a more transparent and merit-based selection system for candidates seeking government employment. He accused the previous BJP government of allowing the HPSSC to become a breeding ground for corruption, including the alleged sale of question papers. In contrast, Sukhu highlighted that his Congress government took swift action against those involved in the scandal, ensuring they faced legal consequences.

In addition to the transformation of the selection process, the Chief Minister launched several educational initiatives during the event. These initiatives aim to improve the quality of education and enhance learning experiences in the state.

1. Abhyas Himachal and Shikshak Sahayata Chatbots: These chatbots, accessible through the Swift Chat app, offer a user-friendly interface similar to WhatsApp. They utilize conversational artificial intelligence and provide students with the convenience of revising lessons and accessing educational videos from their mobile phones. Both students and teachers can benefit from these tools to enrich the learning and teaching process.

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2. Sampark Science TV Program: Designed to convert regular TVs into Smart TVs, this innovation seeks to enhance children's learning experiences, particularly in subjects like mathematics and English. The device comes preloaded with educational content, eliminating the need for an internet connection.

The Chief Minister also introduced the 'Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL),' aimed at improving the lives of specially abled children in Himachal Pradesh. This initiative focuses on providing essential facilities and opportunities for them, including a 2% reservation in government jobs. Additionally, the state government plans to increase the education stipend for specially abled children to ₹1,000.

Upcoming recruitments and disaster relief

Sukhu revealed plans to recruit 6,000 teachers through the newly established commission. The forest department will hire 3,000 'van mitra,' while 1,200 personnel will join the police force, forming a special task force to combat drug trafficking. These recruitment efforts align with the state government's commitment to conducting over 10,000 recruitments this year.

Despite facing economic challenges inherited from the previous government, Sukhu emphasized the state's dedication to assisting disaster-affected individuals. He noted that recent monsoon-related natural disasters had caused ₹12,000 crore in damages. However, he criticized the opposition BJP for not pursuing financial assistance for the state at the national level and declared it a national disaster.

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In conclusion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's announcements reflect his administration's commitment to transparency, meritocracy, and the well-being of Himachal Pradesh's residents. These measures aim to strengthen the education system, empower specially abled individuals, and enhance the integrity of government job selection processes in the state.