West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched a sharp attack on alleged recruitment irregularities under the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, stating that multiple scams had severely damaged the state's reputation across the country.
Addressing a Rozgar Mela (employment fair) organised under an initiative of Narendra Modi at Sealdah, Adhikari said his administration is committed to restoring transparency and rebuilding trust in the recruitment process.
"From teacher recruitment scams to municipal irregularities, and the subsequent interventions by the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India, the past few years have caused immense damage to the state," he said, referring to the cancellation of around 26,000 jobs linked to the 2016 recruitment panel.
The Chief Minister also highlighted how the credibility of examination centres in the state had declined, forcing major railway zones -including Eastern, South Eastern, and North Frontier Railways - to conduct recruitment exams outside West Bengal. "Eligible candidates from Bengal had to travel to states like Odisha, Assam, and Bihar to appear for these exams. We must bring back that lost trust," he added.
Speaking about the Rozgar Mela, Adhikari said the public nature of the event was intended to set an example of transparency. "This could have been done quietly, but doing it openly sends a message. Those who corrupted the system should take this as an opportunity to learn and reform," he remarked.
He further addressed concerns of aspirants and their families, saying that years of uncertainty had shaken confidence in government recruitment. "Parents invest in their children's education with the hope of stable employment. That hope has been repeatedly broken," he said, adding that the Central Government is extending support to ensure fair opportunities for the youth.
On reforms, Adhikari suggested greater transparency in examination procedures, particularly those conducted using OMR sheets. "Candidates should be given a carbon copy of their OMR sheets. Retaining it entirely within the system is a flawed practice," he said.
West Bengal has witnessed widespread controversy over recruitment processes in recent years, particularly in the education sector. In April last year, the Supreme Court cancelled the appointments of approximately 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staff from the 2016 panel, citing large-scale irregularities. The entire panel for Group C and D employees was also scrapped, following which fresh examinations were conducted by the School Service Commission as per court directives.
Allegations of corruption have extended beyond secondary-level recruitment to primary education and even municipal hiring, contributing to a broader debate over governance and accountability in the state.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government's priority is to ensure a fair, transparent, and corruption-free recruitment system, aimed at restoring confidence among job seekers in West Bengal.