The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), having suffered for setting an easy question paper for Grade-IV positions earlier, says it deliberately kept the paper difficult this year.
Though the question papers were meant for students who had passed Class X, the BMC asked its paper-setters, MahaOnline and Tata Consultancy Services, to set a difficult paper. The Grade-IV openings were for 1,388 posts of labourers in the Water Department and for junior staff like ward boys in the Health Department.
Questions ranged from ‘What are the total number of official languages in India’ to ‘Which is the coolest planet’, ‘When is student day observed’ and ‘What are the constituents of vinegar’. The online exam included 40 marks for Marathi, 10 for English, 20 for questions on Science and 25 for Maths.
The question paper had drawn criticism in the State Assembly on Thursday.
Sudhir Naik, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (General Administration Department) said, “During our earlier recruitment in 2011, we had set an easy question paper, owing to which about three lakh people applied for 3,550 seats, and about 700 of them scored full marks. We had a tough time choosing the candidates for the vacant seats. Those who didn’t get jobs moved court and we are still filing affidavits in that matter. We did not want a repeat of such a scenario this year.”
The 100-mark, multiple-choice question paper this year included 40 easy questions, 30 medium-range questions and 30 tough questions, he said.
Despite the difficulty level, 1.06 lakh of the 2.42 lakh aspirants scored more than the minimum requisite score of 50 marks. The top scorer got 80 marks.
Though many graduates appeared for the exam conducted between February 15 and 26, the BMC that said those who are selected will remain labourers for the entire term and will not get transferred to administrative posts.
Mr. Naik said, “With increased computerisation and automation of offices, Class-IV employees, too, need to update their skills.”
However, the employees’ union says these are “ploys” to extract money from applicants. Milind Ranade, general secretary of Kachra Vahatuk Shramik Sangh, said, “Are they choosing IAS officers? I am sure even BMC officials won’t be able to answer these questions. There is no rationale; it’s purely a case of corruption.”
The final results have been announced, and recruitment is likely to be completed by May.
