Imphal, May 26: Contending that there are many discrepancies in the selection process of teachers for the hill districts, MLA BD Behring today said that contrary to earlier claims, merit has been given to go with some candidates having lower marks being given the preference.

There are also cases of doubling in the list, he added.

Raising this point in the evening session of the Assembly today, the MLA demanded that the MoU signed between the Government and ATSUM be tabled in the House and questioned under what criteria the 1332 teachers for the hill districts are to be appointed.

Stating that merit has been over looked in the selection process, the MLA said that candidates with lower marks have been given the preference and in one case a candidate has his name in different serial numbers in the list of Science graduate and undergraduate teachers.

Another candidate also has his name in the graduate and under-graduate list for Hindi teachers, contended Behring.

The MLA suggested a House Committee be set up to study the selection mode of the teachers.

Joining MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang questioned whether it is right to retrench casual employees and appoint contract employees in their place, whether merit is the criteria in the selection process and whether the posts are sanctioned or created.

Responding to the questions raised, Education Minister L Nandakumar said that the selection process was conducted strictly on the basis of merit and assured that candidates who are found in different serial numbers will be cancelled within 7 days time if their names and details can be given.

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