File affidavit on those not hired for dental jobs despite getting more marks after revision: HC

Cuttack: The Orissa high court directed the secretary of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to submit an affidavit listing candidates who scored higher marks after revision than the person who secured the lowest among the 171 currently working as dental surgeons.
The HC was hearing a dispute regarding the recruitment of dental surgeons in group A (junior) category of the Odisha Medical Services (dental) cadre.
Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho issued the direction after OPSC secretary Satyabrata Ray verbally admitted that 43 candidates who scored higher were not recommended despite revaluation of marks, while candidates with lower scores were recommended and employed.
Ray admitted to the court that after revaluation based on the answers suggested by an expert committee, 11 of the candidates recommended and presently working as dental surgeons had scored below the revised cut-off marks.
Following this, the HC also directed the OPSC to furnish in the affidavit the two select lists of pre-revised and post-revision marks along with respective cut-off marks and a copy of minutes of the meeting dated Jul 25, 2022, whereby OPSC accepted the revision of marks. The matter is scheduled for further consideration on Aug 28.
OPSC had initially invited applications for 198 dental surgeon positions on Mar 17, 2018. It conducted exams on May 6, 2018, and recommended 171 candidates on Aug 9, 2018. The issue arose when some unsuccessful candidates challenged their non-selection, citing incorrect answers, among other grievances.