MESSAGE

The Commission is stepping into the year 2007 with renewed vigour imbibing spiritfrom its half a century old glorious past.

Looking back to the last 50 years we find that the Kerala Public Service Commission has secured a unique place among the Public Service Commissions in the country not only in the matter of the quantum of work being under taken but also the transparent and impartial manner in which the constitutional functions entrusted to it are being fulfilled.

Considering the particular nature of work especially relating to the process of recruitment, certain very important parts of the functions of the Commission have to be kept in strict confidence.  This maintenance of confidentiality has paved way for paucity of transparency to a certain extent, which some vested interests have exploited to mislead and create misunderstandings and apprehensions  among the naïve candidates and general public regarding the procedures being followed by the Commission especially during the various stages of recruitment.

Ignorance on the part of candidates and false propaganda by unscrupulous elements has created an atmosphere in which the time proven efficient and clean procedure being followed by the Commission are viewed with suspicion. Taking all these into consideration, the Commission have taken a bold decision to make the functioning of their Office transparent  to the maximum extent possible.  Disclosing cut off mark of candidates included in the Short List and publishing marks secured in the  written test by each candidate appeared for the test have on all accounts made the procedures of the Commission transparent.  Effective implementing of the provisions of Right to Information Act 2005 has allayed the fear of      seeking in respect of the selecting procedures added by the Commission.  The brochure brought out by the Commission in connection with its Golden Jubilee Celebrations has indubitably gone a long way in enlightening the general public about the nature and working of the various wings of the Commission.  However, certain aspects are essentially to be kept in confidence, which of course will continue as such.

The last few years have unequivocally witnessed path breaking changes in the functioning  of  the Office of the Commission.  The process of networking is been functioning in a comprehensive manner that encapsulates a wide range of activities aimed at alleviating the procedural complexities and ensuring easy accessibility.  Triggering off the III Phase of Computerisation, the  Commission could flawlessly and efficaciously implement the wide area network connecting District/Regional Offices with the Head Office and local area network linking various sections in the Head Office.  The Commission could utilize the potentialities of Information Technology through the opening of the web portal for the Office.  It has enhanced the trustworthiness of the Commission and has strengthened the confidence of the public.

Various plans contemplated in the past are in the final stage of its implementation.  “On line” applications have already been  introduced  in the case of a few posts on a tentative basis.  Its applicability is being extended to all posts coming within the purview of PSC. Steps are taken to prepare question banks to ensure secrecy of question papers, avoid mistakes, and also to enable speedy  conduct of PSC Tests.  The possibility of providing opportunity to candidates to verify their answer scripts “on line” after the publication of the ranked list also is being probed.  In order to wipe out the slightest possibility of impersonating, the Commission have decided to introduce Applications with photograph of the candidates which can be scanned through high caliber ICR photo scanners.  As part of the further accelerating the existing selection procedure, the Commission feel it necessary to publish the Ranked List within a span of six months from the date of notification.  Moreover, the Commission deem it fit to prepare  Ranked List in such a way that the   number of candidates included is  akin to the number of vacancies reported to at the time of finalisation.

It can be categorically stated that it is the unstinted backing of the staff of the Commission that has paved the way for the  aforesaid significant developments.  They have been working  with one mind and one accord towards fulfilling the dreams of the Commission.  I fervently hope their solid support in the days to come.  I may also take this opportunity to invite creative suggestions so as to enable the Commission to discharge their  functions in the most transparent and impartial manner.

K.V. SALAHUDDIN