CHENNAI: A state government employee, serving suspension after he was caught with unaccounted money on September 12, 2008, almost became a deputy collector with his name figuring in the final list released by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission for Group I services.
Had the results not been stayed by the Madras High Court on a petition filed by other aspirants last year, R Rajendran, who was working as sub-registrar in Hosur, might have entered the Group I services. He obtained high marks in the interview held on January 3.
TNPSC withheld the results of many other candidates who failed to produce the necessary documents like conduct and other certificates during the interview.
The TNPSC itself told the court that Rajendran had not produced a ‘no objection certificate.’ In any case, Rajendran could not have been issued the certificate as he was under suspension.
Interestingly, on January 3, another candidate, Ponnarasan, whose selection had already created a controversy, also attended the interview. Ponnarasan was allowed to clear the TNPSC examination and interview under the ‘women’s quota’.
The cut off mark for women was much lesser than men and Ponnarasan would not have qualified for the main examination had he not been listed as a woman. TNPSC called it a typographical error.