The state power department has found an interesting way to deal with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of about 300 electrical assistants at the Paschim Gujarat Power Company Ltd back in 2021. Rather than investigate the issue, the discom has simply suspended 30 of its employees.

As many as 57 assistant engineers, or vidyut sahayaks, have been suspended—including 30 on June 13—following allegations of improper recruitment practices.. The suspended employees have approached a fast-track court against the move, and have demanded action against the mastermind and officers responsible for the scam. 

Allegations of financial irregularities of ₹10–15 lakh have plagued the examination, conducted by a private company for the recruitment of junior (electrical) engineers, for the past two years. According to complaints filed with the authorities, candidates only had to sit in front of the computer screen, and were provided the answers. 

“The government was informed about the nexus between middlemen and candidates before the exam paper on January 12, 2022,” a person close to the development told Gujarat Samachar, adding, “but the government nothing. It did not even set up a special investigation team. About 300 candidates were recruited following this fraudulent process.”

The epicentres of the scam are Modasa-Sathamba in Aravalli, Virpur in Mahisagar, Koidam, Vanakbori, Thermal, Keshod in Saurashtra and Bhavnagar in Sabarkantha province.