Irrigation Department: Cheating in promotion exams alleged

Candidates say some were allowed to use textbooks during test.

LAHORE:

Candidates who sat the Irrigation Department exam for promotion to the rank of sub divisional officer (SDO) have alleged that there was widespread cheating during the test sanctioned by invigilators and the principal of the academy.

A number of candidates told The Express Tribune that those who had paid were allowed to open up textbooks during the exam at the exam centre at the Engineering Academy in Thokar Niaz Beg. They said that the candidates who paid bribes had also been assured that they would pass the exam. A total of 205 candidates sat the exam in the last week of November. Passing the exam is mandatory for officials seeking promotion as SDOs in grade-17. A senior department official said that in previous years, the results of the exams were announced within 24 hours. “More than a week has passed and the results have not been announced,” he said. “There is something fishy going on.”

Executive Engineer (XEN) Waqar Hussain Warraich, the academy principal, denied the allegations. “Nobody was allowed to use unfair means in the exam, nor did anyone bribe anyone,” he said. He added that the results were being compiled.Irrigation Secretary Muhammad Irfan Elahi said he did not know about any cheating in the exams, but an inquiry would be conducted and if the allegations were found to be true, action would be taken.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2011.