As per information available as on 24th July, 2017, 18 States and 7 Union Territories have discontinued the practice of interview in recruitment for lower level posts.

The objective of discontinuation of interview in selection process at lower level posts is to curb corruption, more objective selection in transparent manner and substantially easing the problems of poor aspirants. Union Territory Administration of Daman & Diu has informed that it has benefitted them economically by way of savings on account of non-application of Travelling Allowance/ Daily Allowance and other expenditure involved in calling candidates for interview. Further, Union Territory Administration of Lakshadweep has informed that local aspirants have economically benefitted from this initiative of the Government.

The States of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are yet to decide about discontinuation of interview in the recruitment of lower level posts. The States of Sikkim and Meghalaya have not adopted the process of discontinuation of interviews in recruitment to lower level posts. However, information regarding the State of Nagaland is not available. Further, it has been informed by the State of Odisha that steps have already been taken to implement scrapping of interview system concerning junior level posts (Group B & C) of all Departments.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Naranbhai Kachhadiya in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: PIB

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Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

14-March-2017 12:56 IST

Text of statement of Union Home Minister regarding recent attack on security forces at Sukma, Chhattisgarh

Following is the text of statement of the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha today regarding recent attack on security forces at Sukma, Chhattisgarh on March 11, 2017:

On March 11, 2017 two companies of CRPF at Bheji in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh were providing security cover for road construction on Bheji-Gorkha-Injiram Axis. Around 0853 hrs, when this party reached a forested area close to Bankupara village, armed Left Wing Extremists ambushed them with heavy firing and simultaneous use of IED blasts. In this incident, unfortunately 12 personnel were martyred and 02 were seriously injured. The condition of injured personnel is stable and they are out of danger. 13 weapons and 02 Wireless Sets were taken away by the Left Wing Extremists. Names of the martyrs and injured are as follows:

Names of the Martyrs

Names of the Injured

I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the personnel who have lost their lives and I would like to say firmly that the entire nation is with them in their hour of grief. The nation will always remember their sacrifices. The injured personnel will be provided with the best possible treatment available. On behalf of the entire house, I pray for their health and wellbeing.

The unprecedented success of the Security Forces of late has led to evident uneasiness among the Left Wing Extremist Groups. The Forces have achieved tremendous success during 2016 in all LWE affected States and particularly in Chhattisgarh where 135 LWE cadres were eliminated, 779 arrested and 1198 surrendered. The number of violent incidents in Chhattisgarh also dropped by 15% from 466 in 2015 to 395 in 2016. Improved efficacy of the Security Forces is evident from the following indicators

(a) The number of Left Wing Extremists killed increased by 150% (89 in 2015 to 222 in 2016) in 2016.

(b) Surrenders and arrests registered a combined increase of 47% over 2015 (2238 to 3282).

(c) Only 03 weapons were lost by the SFs in 2016 as against 15 in 2015.

(d) 67% of Encounters/Exchange of Fire resulted in neutralization of LWE cadres as against only 36% in 2015.

(e) Sustained operations by the Security Forces ensured that South Bastar districts, considered to be the nucleus of LWE strength witnessed a considerable fall in violence in 2016 (252 incidents as against 326 in 2015).

The Left Wing Extremists have suffered unprecedented losses in 2016. They have admitted so, openly in their documents and statements. They will continue to attempt such incidents to restore the flagging morale of their cadres. I believe that our brave soldiers and officers will continue to respond with a firm resolve and contribute whole heartedly towards elimination of Left Wing Extremism.

However there is a need for introspection on this incident. I have directed the DG, CRPF to conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident so that the lapses that led to the incident can be identified which will reduce the possibility of repetition of such incidents in the future.

I visited Chhattisgarh to pay my homage to the martyrs and met the two injured personnel on the day of the incident itself. Arrangements were made to ensure that mortal remains reach their respective families. Loss of life can in no way be compensated by money, however, the next of kin of the martyred CRPF personnel will be provided Rs 35 lacs as ex-gratia from the Central Government, Rs 20 lacs from the Risk Fund of CRPF and Rs 01 lac from the CRPF Welfare Fund. They will also get Rs 25 lacs as insurance benefits and Rs 03 lacs as ex-gratia from the Chhattisgarh Government. The next of kin will also be provided full salary till the age of superannuation of the personnel martyred under the Liberalized Pensionary Award (LPA).

I assure the house that the Government is committed to providing all support to the CAPF in order to prepare them for their tasks. In the same way the Government is also committed to supporting the States for training, capacity building, provision of CAPF battalions as required and intelligence sharing.

I would like to assure the nation through this house that we will not let Left Wing Extremists succeed in misleading the people and depriving parts of the country from the benefits of development.

I once again pay my homage to the martyred personnel and express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I assure the house that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

Source: PIB

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Use of Indelible ink for over the counter exchange against old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes; Arrangements to make available adequate cash to the Postal Department for their use including the branch Post Offices.

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reviewed the position with regard to supply and availability of currency notes for the second consecutive day yesterday (14.11.2016) late evening. The Meeting, which went on till about midnight, was attended among others by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Coal & Power, Shri Piyush Goyal, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shri Nripendra Misra and Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K.Mishra, Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K.Sinha, Governor, RBI, Dr. Urjit R Patel, Secretaries from the Finance Ministry and other officials from PMO. A detailed review was made with regard to the steps that have been taken for smooth distribution and dispensing of cash through various channels of disbursement.

After detailed discussions, the following decisions were taken:

1. Highest importance should continue to be given to ensure convenience for the public. Effort should be made to avoid long queues in Bank branches, ATMs, etc. Already separate queues for senior citizens, divyang persons etc. have been announced. The drawing limits against Bank Accounts and from ATMs and over the cash disbursement have also been increased. It was noted that one of the primary reasons for long queues was that the same persons were visiting Bank branches, ATMs etc. repeatedly. It was also noted that certain unscrupulous elements are using the services of poor and innocent people to convert their black money into white.

To prevent such misuse of the facility and enable larger number of persons to draw cash, indelible ink used during elections shall be used for over the counter exchange against old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes. This is not applicable in the case of withdrawal from or deposit into accounts.

Cash disbursement points, especially Bank branches will be advised to put-up notices outside their branches advising people to avoid exchange of old notes over the counter multiple times.

2. Already instructions have been issued permitting District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) for cash withdrawal from existing accounts, subject to limits applicable in the case of Banks. Arrangements have been made to enhance the availability of cash with the DCCBs.

3. Arrangements have been made to make available adequate cash to the Postal Department for their use including the branch Post Offices. There are 1.3 lakh branch Post Offices having wide coverage in the rural areas. Availability of adequate cash with the branch Post Offices will ensure wider coverage of the rural areas.

4. Contributions are made in hundis and separate boxes in places of worship. Such establishments have their accounts with the Bank branches. Bank branches have been advised to approach the concerned authorities in these establishments to obtain the currency notes, especially of lower denomination and put them back into circulation. This will help in improving the circulation of lower denomination currency notes.

5. Information has been received that there is sudden spurt in the quantum of deposits in several Jan Dhan Accounts. There are also reports of unscrupulous elements using Jan Dhan Accounts of poor and innocent persons to convert their black money into white. Such spurt in deposits will be looked into closely. Jan Dhan Account holders are requested not to allow their accounts to be misused by anyone. Further, it is also clarified that Jan Dhan Account holders will not be put to any kind of inconvenience for carrying-out their legitimate activities.

6. Old Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- notes are accumulating in Post Offices and Bank branches. Special efforts will be made to shift such notes and create space in the Post Offices and Bank branches to receive new notes.

7. A high level Task Force consisting of representatives from various agencies is being set-up to monitor movement/receipt of fake notes in vulnerable areas. This Task Force will also take special efforts to monitor black money being deposited into Bank/Postal Accounts, especially under fictitious and other names.

8. A technology team is being set-up to popularize the use of e-wallets.

9. Government is closely monitoring the supply of essential commodities.

10. A coordination group chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and including representatives of various Departments and major Banks is holding regular meetings to monitor the implementation of all the steps.

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