The demand for filing offline applications in remote areas of Kangra and Chamba is growing

Youth from remote areas of Kangra and Chamba districts have demanded to be allowed to apply for the posts of constables advertised by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) through offline mode. Since the HPPSC had allowed only online applications for the posts, many candidates did not apply on time due to technical glitches and mobile phone or internet problems in their areas.

Though the HPPSC has extended the last date for submitting applications for recruitment to the posts from October 31 to November 12, the demand to allow applications in offline mode remains. Many candidates have claimed that they could not apply for the post of agents in time due to weak telecom network in their area.

Congress Chief Whip in the State Assembly and Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania has supported the candidates demanding that they should be allowed to file offline applications as well. While talking to The Tribune, Pathania said many youths from his constituency had approached him and demanded offline mode for filing applications. “There are many areas, like Dhar Kandi, in my constituency, where the telecom network is very weak or non-existent. The youths who are preparing for recruitment of police officers in these areas have approached me and demanded that they be allowed to apply offline for the posts of police officers,” he added.

Pathania said he had discussed the issue of extension of the last date for applying for the posts of constable to Chief Minister and HPPSC chairman. “I thank the Prime Minister for extending the last date to November 12. However, I still believe that young people should be given the opportunity to also apply offline. They should be able to apply offline at the offices of SPs. In the future, the government must offer the option to also submit applications offline.”