Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today inaugurated the modern online computer based examination centre of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.75 crore.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Public Service Commission is playing a vital role in progress of the society by selecting the best brains to serve the State in various capacities such as doctors, engineers, teachers and other officers and officials. In the present era of information technology, it becomes vital that the technology is used at the fullest to ensure promptness, transparency, accountability and minimising any scope of error. He said that effective use of IT not only help in saving time in cumbersome procedures, but also in instilling the faith of the candidates in the Commission. He said that now, both online and offline examinations would be conducted by the Commission in its own examination hall. With the start of this computer based examination centre, dependency on private IT labs will decrease considerable especially for conducting online examinations and the Commission will be self-dependent to conduct online examinations in a time bound manner. He said that around 350 candidates can be adjusted in this lab at a time either in online or offline examinations.Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government is committed to strengthen and modernise the Commission and would provide all possible help for its effective functioning. The full use of IT would also facilitate the candidates as they would not have to travel all the way to Shimla to submit their documents and would also get admit cards online.
The Chief Minister said that the state government would also sympathetically consider setting up of a facilitation centre at Dharamshala for convenience of the candidates.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that it is heartening that State Public Service Commission is emerging as one of the best recruitment institutions of the country. He said that the massive mandate given to the present government also entrusts greater responsibility on the State leadership and the state government led by the young and dynamic leadership of Chief Minister is committed to provide responsive, accountable and transparent administration to the people of the State.Chairman, HP Public Service Commission Maj. General DVS Rana said that the Commission has many first to its credit. The Commission has ensured maximum use of IT in order to ensure transparency in selection process, one time registration of candidates and conducting online computer based examination etc. He said that the Commission has also introduced mobile app for providing complete information regarding various examinations, launching of My Exam My Online Review Portal to facilitate the candidates. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing all possible help to strengthen the Commission. Members of the Commission Dr. Man Singh, Meera Walia and Dr. Rachna Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, Managing Director, HP Agro Packaging Corporation Madan Chauhan, Secretary of the Commission Rakhi Kahlon, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon were also present on the occasion.