Editor,
This letter aims to bring to the notice of the APPSC a critical issue impacting the development trajectory and employment landscape of Arunachal Pradesh: the pressing need for a significant increase in officer recruitment across various vital state departments.
While the annual calendar for examinations is a crucial step, a more proactive and comprehensive approach to job creation is imperative to address the growing challenges faced by our state.
Our state’s progress is intrinsically linked to the efficiency and effectiveness of its public services. However, a significant bottleneck has emerged due to the acute shortage of officers in key departments. We observe with concern that existing officers are often burdened with responsibilities spanning multiple departments, leading to:
# Delayed development processes: The allocation of an officer to oversee numerous departments inevitably stretches their capacity, resulting in slower decision-making, delayed project implementation, and ultimately, hampered development in many districts.
# Suboptimal public service delivery: When departments are understaffed at the officer level, the quality and responsiveness of public services suffer, directly impacting the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh who rely on these essential government functions.
# Rising unemployment: The current pace of recruitment is insufficient to absorb the growing number of educated and capable youths entering the job market. This escalating unemployment rate not only creates social and economic strain but also represents a significant loss of potential human capital that could contribute to the state’s progress.
Specifically, departments such as Power, Tourism, Town Planning, Geology and Mining, Information Technology, Police, Forest, Disaster Management, Economic and Statistics, Civil Aviation, Industries, Tax and Excise, Engineering, Medical, and Education, among many others, are experiencing this severe shortage. These departments are the backbone of our state’s economic and infrastructural development, and their optimal functioning is paramount for realizing our collective aspirations.
The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), as the custodian of merit-based recruitment, holds a pivotal role in addressing this challenge. While timely release of examination calendars is appreciated, it is merely a procedural step. We urge the commission to actively assess the current and projected manpower requirements of all state departments and initiate a robust, accelerated recruitment drive. This would entail:
# Comprehensive manpower assessment: A thorough evaluation of the actual strength needed versus the existing strength in each department, considering growth projections and new initiatives.
# Increased frequency and volume of examinations: Beyond the annual calendar, considering additional recruitment cycles and increasing the number of vacancies announced to meet the substantial demand.
# Streamlined recruitment processes: Exploring ways to expedite the recruitment process without compromising on transparency and fairness, ensuring that selected candidates can join their roles swiftly.
# Targeted recruitment for specialized roles: Identifying critical specialized positions within departments like IT, Geology and Mining, Economic and Statistics, Engineering, Health and Medical, and Education, and tailoring recruitment to attract suitable expertise.
We firmly believe that proactive job creation in the public sector will yield multifaceted benefits for Arunachal. It will not only alleviate the unemployment crisis but also significantly enhance the efficiency of government functions, leading to faster development, improved public service delivery, and a more vibrant economy.
We are confident and believe that our dynamic Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has consistently emphasized good governance and the welfare of the youths, will recognize the urgency and importance of this matter. His vision for a progressive Arunachal can be fully realized with a strong and adequately staffed public service.
We appeal to the APPSC to take a serious and immediate look into this critical issue and work collaboratively with the state government to implement a strategic plan for comprehensive job creation in various departments. This is not just about filling vacancies; it is about investing in the future of Arunachal.
A concerned citizen