Job seekers block road at Esplanade, traffic choked

Dharmatalla in Kolkata witnessed a significant protest on Friday as hundreds of 2016 SLST-qualified candidates took to the streets, blocking roads and voicing their frustration over the recruitment scam that has left them without jobs.

The State Level Selection Test (SLST)-2016 saw over 23 lakh candidates competing for 24,640 vacant posts in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools. However, the recruitment process was later embroiled in controversy, with allegations of corruption leading to its cancellation.

In April 2023, the Calcutta High Court nullified the entire recruitment process, declaring all appointments made through it as invalid. The court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to further probe the scam and submit a report within three months. It also ordered the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) to start a fresh appointment process.

Protesters at Dharmatalla expressed anger and disappointment, demanding immediate action to secure their rightful jobs. "We cleared the SLST-2016 fair and square. Why should we suffer for the corruption of others?" said protesters.

The demonstration caused traffic disruptions, with many commuters stranded as the protesters refused to leave until their grievances were heard. Security forces were deployed to manage the situation and prevent any escalation.