Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after all 8,000 candidates who appeared for the accountants exam failed the test, Herald learns that the “tough” paper was set by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.
This raises the question of whether the Board that has its mandate only till the Higher Secondary, or Class XII precise, set a question paper for the accounts exam, a subject whose level is much higher than that of Class XII?
Goa Board chairman Ramkrishna Samant admitted they had set the paper on the government’s request. “Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) had set the examination paper for State governments Directorate of Accounts. We set such papers for government departments after we receive a request from the State government for doing so. Also we have the necessary machinery,” GBSHSE Chairman Ramakrishna Samant said.
He added, “The board sets such examination papers for government departments only if its fits within our time table. In our view the paper was not difficult or tough but I do not know the reason as to any of the candidates could clear the examination.”
Information reveals that 15,293 applications were sold and 10,712 candidates actually applied and finally 8000 appeared for the exams held in January. As per information, there were around 80 posts. Candidates told Herald that the result was on expected lines as the paper was tough.
Out of the 80 posts, 43 were for general category, 21 reserved for OBC, 9 for Scheduled Tribe, 2 for Scheduled caste and one each for handicap, freedom fighters children and ex-servicemen.
Sources in the department revealed that the candidates had to score minimum of 50 (Paper I) and 60 in (paper II) to qualify out of 100 marks paper.
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Severe shortage of staff
The Accounts Department, which looks into accounting of all government departments, is facing a severe staff crunch.
“There are 280 accountant posts across the State out of which 110-115 are vacant. Since no candidate cleared the exams we will move another proposal to the State government to conduct another examination,” Accounts Director Prakash Pereira.
What is interesting is the number of accountants holding additional charge. “If we see almost 70 accountants are holding additional charges,” the director said.
