Koraput: Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati has renewed his demand for restoring district-level recruitment for teachers and Class III and IV govt posts in Koraput, warning of a fresh agitation if the state proceeds with statewide appointments for the upcoming recruitment drive.Addressing a news conference, the Jeypore legislator said the existing system of state-level recruitment has deprived thousands of educated unemployed youths in the district of govt jobs. He argued that Koraput, being a Scheduled Area with a predominantly Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population, requires a separate recruitment mechanism to ensure greater employment opportunities for local candidates.“Since district-level recruitment was replaced by state-level selection in 2009, local aspirants have been at a disadvantage. The govt should immediately restore district-level appointments for teachers as well as Class III and Class IV posts in various departments,” Bahinipati said.He further alleged that candidates recruited from other districts often seek transfers back to their native places after joining, leaving vacancies unfilled in Koraput and affecting public service delivery.Bahinipati said the Congress would intensify its ongoing agitation if the state govt goes ahead with statewide recruitment for the proposed large-scale appointment of teachers. “If necessary, we will call for a bandh in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts,” he warned.The five-time MLA maintained that the lack of quality educational and coaching facilities in the undivided Koraput region makes it difficult for local students to compete with candidates from more developed districts in statewide recruitment examinations.Meanwhile, BJP leader Goutam Samantaray said the BJP govt is sensitive to the aspirations of the youth of Koraput.“We want local candidates to benefit from development. The Congress is attempting to create unnecessary fear among unemployed youths for political mileage,” Samantaray said.
