Aspirants RI & Amin exam discontent by folding their admit cards into paper boats and floating them down the Kathajodi River

Cuttack 10 OCT 2024: Following widespread protests by aspirants RI & Amin exam in Bhubaneswar, they took to the streets of Cuttack on Thursday, demanding the cancellation and re-examination of the RI and Amin exams conducted by the Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) .

Allegations of irregularities in the exam process, conducted by a ‘blacklisted’ outsourcing organisation, have fueled the uproar.

In a symbolic act of protest, aspirants creatively expressed their discontent by folding their admit cards into paper boats and floating them down the Kathajodi River near the Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal (CNBT). Protesters called for the immediate removal of the organisation responsible for the exams, as well as early conduct re-examination.

“Job appointments have become a business, and the authorities are jeopardizing students’ futures by outsourcing exams to a blacklisted company,” said one protester. “Our paper boats represent how the government is treating the future of aspirants. If our demand for re-examination isn’t met, lakhs of students will join the protests.”

Many protesters expressed frustration with the government’s inaction. “The Chief Minister Grievance Cell was set up to address issues like this, but even after 10 days of repeated complaints, no action has been taken,” said another aspirant.

The protests come in the wake of unfulfilled promises from the government, with another protester adding, “Despite an assurance from the Higher Education Minister, no steps have been taken. A student committee was invited to discuss these issues, but even 72 hours later, nothing has changed.”