KSPCB looks to CET for recruitment transparency

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) which has been receiving brickbats for being under-staffed is going for a fair appointment procedure. For the first time, the board is recruiting 60 assistant environmental officers, 30 scientific and laboratory assistants and 40 administrative staff through a Common Entrance Test (CET).Speaking to Express, KSPCB Chairman A S Sadashivaiah said, “The KSPCB is conducting recruitments after a gap of nine years. I do not want any mistakes to occur and want to make the procedure transparent and credible.” “As soon as the advertisement was displayed, we received a large number of applications. This was another reason for the KSPCB to outsource the process of sorting applications to the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and conduct CET,” he said.As per the CET rules, all appointments will be done on merit basis and all reservation criteria will be followed. “For the post of assistant environmental officer we have invited applications from two categories. Applicants must have either an engineering background (BE/MTech) or a qualification in microbiology or botany. “For scientific and laboratory assistant, the applicant has to have a chemistry background (either BSc or MSc)” he added.He said, “The procedure was supposed to be done this week, but due to engineering and medical CET and Dasara round the corner, it might be delayed a bit. But certainly in another fortnight the list will be out.”Meanwhile, even the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has criticised the KSPCB for not having utilised its funds completely in its recent annual audit reports.The Board requires a minimum of 1,200 staff, but currently there are only 500 staff members, of which 150 are working on a contract basis.