Time running out for many govt job seekers

Thousands of job seekers are crossing the age limit for appearing at Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations under the Public Service Commission (PSC) as it did not invite applications for the examinations in the last two years.
According to PSC rules, graduates who cross 30 cannot apply for appearing at the BCS examinations, a gateway for entering public service. Candidates usually get three to five years after graduation to take the examinations.
The PSC had last invited applications on June 28, 2005 for the 27th BCS examinations and viva voce of which is now being held afresh. Final results of the controversial examinations however cannot be published until disposal of writ petition in this regard filed by some candidates.
Asked about the delay in announcement about 28th BCS examinations, PSC Chairman Saadat Hossain said, "We are taking some measures to bring back transparency in the PSC and in the system of examinations conducted by it. Some time is needed to implement the steps. We have already changed the system of selection of applications, examination and mark distribution system and pattern of question papers.”
He declined to give any specific timeframe for the long awaited examinations.
Some PSC sources however said applications for the 28th BCS examinations might be invited in the next few weeks but the exact date cannot be confirmed now.
Meanwhile, frustration is mounting among those intending to take the examinations.
"PSC usually issues at least one circular a year for BCS examinations. It issued four such circulars during the five-year tenure of the past BNP-Jamaat alliance government. The alliance government tried for issuance of another circular but they could not get it done because of various irregularities in 27th BCS examinations," a PSC director said seeking anonymity.
The PSC had issued circulars for 27th BCS examinations on June 28 in 2005 for 1,776 posts, 26th special BCS examinations on August 29, 2004 for 1,034 posts of lecturer and 25th BCS examinations on February 28, 2004 for 1, 524 posts.
The commission is now busy holding the cancelled viva voce of the controversial 27th BCS examinations and reforming itself and the pattern of examinations it holds. And these are the main reasons for delaying announcement about 28th BCS examinations, PSC sources said.
In the wake of press reports about various irregularities centring the 27th BCS examinations, the present government on May 30 had asked the PSC to cancel the already held viva voce and hold it again.
PSC Member Suraiya Begum said their main task now is holding the cancelled viva voce to restore transparency and public confidence in the process of recruitment in public jobs.
In reply to a question, she said circular for 28th BCS examinations would be issued as early as possible considering the candidates' interest.
Some intending candidates said the PSC should consider relaxing the age limit for 28th BCS examinations by at least one year because of the long delay in its announcement for that. This would enable those now crossing 30 to apply, they added.
Leaders of Fair BCS Movement, a platform of students, also demanded the PSC issue circular for the next BCS examinations as early as possible.
"PSC could now issue a backdated circular for the 28th BCS examinations as it did not make the announcement in the last two years," said President the Movement Abu Tareq.
Rahul, a former student of Dhaka University, and many others like him, echoed his views.