JKSSB bans MeritTrac

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board today banned M/s MeritTrac Private Limited from conducting any examination in Jammu and Kashmir for a period of two years. A decision to this effect was taken by the JKSSB Chairman Rajesh Sharma after taking into account all reports.
“The Board observed that MeritTrac Private Limited has failed in maintaining 100% secrecy and security of the question papers/ examinations for the post of Accounts Assistant (Finance Department), Junior Engineer, Civil (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub Inspector (Home Department) conducted during the month of March, 2022 which were Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) based. This led to the cancellation of these examinations,” an official order said.
The Board, accordingly, decided to intimate punitive action against the Agency for violation of the conditions of the Work Order placed upon it after following due procedure, including opportunity of being heard to the Agency.
“The Board deliberated upon the issue and, after taking into consideration the reply by M/s MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd. observed that the Agency has failed to take adequate steps to ensure 100% sanctity and security of the examination process. The agency was entrusted with the conduct of examinations in a secure, confidential & fair manner, but to the contrary, it has failed to conduct the smoothly to the 100% satisfaction of all stakeholders including Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board, leading to the cancellation of these examinations,” the order read.
“The Board deliberated upon the matter and taking note of the instructions of the General Administration Department and opinion of the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, noted that M/s MeritTrac Pvt. Ltd. has failed to hold the examinations for the posts of Accounts Assistant (Finance), Junior Engineer, Civil (JSD) and Sub Inspector (Home) held in March, 2022 in a fair and transparent manner and its response to the Show Cause Notice dated 17-05-2023 is not convincing/ in line with the terms and conditions in the relevant work order.
“Accordingly, it was decided that, in terms of the relevant provisions of the GFR-2017, the Agency shall be debarred/ blacklisted for conducting any examiations in the Union Terrority of J&K for a period of two years. The period of blacklisting shall be extended by another year in case the Agency is convicted in the ongong investigation by the CBI,” the order said.