BJP, BJD in slugfest over junior teacher recruitment

BHUBANESHWAR: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday passed a sly remark to state government regarding alleged irregularities in the appointment process of junior teachers (schematic). He wondered where the ridiculous name ‘Mahal Manda’ came from on the e-admit card of a candidate searching for jobs.

He said this while addressing women at the Shakti Vandan programme organized here on Saturday.

Pradhan said women are getting insulted in the state. “Women members of the ruling party allege that MLAs and ministers of BJD are involved in violence against women. Women are suffering from anemia and children are facing malnutrition issues. Youths are not getting employment,” he added.

He said women empowerment is now prime minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee. “Women have received much benefit from the BJP-led Central government. He appealed to the women members of the party to take the message of Modi to grassroots level in Odisha,” he added.

BJD organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das in his reaction on social media platform X said Pradhan is doing theatrics over teacher recruitment issues. “The teacher recruitment process was conducted through EdCIL, a Mini Ratna company under the Union ministry of education. What do you want to say? If you point out this recruitment process means you are making allegations against yourself,” he added.

Das said EdCIL is conducting recruitment processes for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya, AIIMS, Indian Navy and other agencies. “According to you, is this organization doping any irregularities there? Without understanding the whole matter, you should not level allegations against the state? It seems you have a role in creating this Mahal Manda,” he added.

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