WB Health Dept scraps Homeopathy Director recruitment over corruption claims

The West Bengal Health Department has cancelled the recruitment process for the Homeopathy Director post following allegations of procedural irregularities and non-compliance with established rules. A fresh notification for the position will be issued, officials confirmed.

The recruitment process began with an initial notification in March, setting the application deadline for March 28. However, a second notification was issued between June 18 and 26, reopening applications. This unusual step raised concerns about whether the process was designed to favor specific candidates.

Complaints emerged regarding the selection of a departmental head for the director’s post, despite other candidates with principal-level experience being available. The West Bengal Teachers’ Association submitted a formal letter highlighting this issue and alleging violations of the West Bengal State Homeopathic Health Service Act (2015).

The marking system for the interview process also drew criticism. Of the total marks, 50 were allocated for a bachelor’s degree and 20 for a postgraduate degree, which many candidates claimed disadvantaged those with higher qualifications. Allegations also surfaced that eligible OBC candidates were not called for interviews, despite being qualified and eligible as per the official notification.

The Health Department’s review acknowledged these discrepancies, prompting the cancellation of the process. Officials stated that a new, transparent recruitment process would soon be initiated to address these concerns and ensure fairness for all applicants.