Degree holders ready to sweep city
Such seems to be the craze for government jobs that even postgraduates and graduates are not averse to the idea of wielding brooms in the City Beautiful.
Such seems to be the craze for government jobs that even postgraduates and graduates are not averse to the idea of wielding brooms in the City Beautiful.
Of 14,000 applications for 319 regular posts of sweeper in the municipal corporation (MC) of Chandigarh, 30 are postgraduates and 210 graduates. While four applicants hold bachelor of technology (BTech) degrees, 70 have passed from Industrial Training Institute (ITI).
If selected, they will draw a salary of Rs 14,000.
The MC has fixed the minimum educational qualification as Class 8 with the age limit of 18 to 25 (general category), 18 to 28 (other backward classes category), 18 to 30 (scheduled caste category) and 18 to 35 (disabled people). Most of the students have done their postgraduation and graduation from Panjab University.
The MC will make the candidates run for 800 metre (physical test). While the male candidates have to complete the race in 3 minutes 20 seconds, female candidates have to complete it in 4 minutes 40 seconds.
In the public notice issued by the civic body, it has been clearly mentioned that the candidates equal to the number of posts shall be shortlisted as per the merit of marks obtained in the physical test (race). In case some candidates obtain equal marks in the physical test and become eligible as per merit, they will be selected through draw of lots.
A candidate with masters in history from Panjab University said, "I applied for every government job, but failed to get any. My family is passing through financial straits, so I decided to apply for sweeper's job. But, I do not know whether I will be selected for it or not."
When contacted, additional commissioner of MC Lalit Siwach said, "We have received 14,000 applications and will soon announce the date of the test. There are several applications from graduates and postgraduates, but we cannot deny anybody from applying for the post."
Total posts - 319
Salary - R14,000
Applications received - 14,000
Postgraduates - 30
Graduates - 210
BTech - 4
Industrial Training Institute - 70
Class 12 - 1,900
Class 10 - 5,000
Class 8 - 6,786