IT'S a pity that Public Service Commission, the constitutionally designated body for recruitment to the Republic's services on a competitive basis, has remained almost non-functional for the last five months. This statutory organisation's activities came to a virtual halt closely on the heels of BNP's induction into power for lack of requisition of its services. This exceptional step was taken to apparently carry out investigations into allegations of corruption against the PSC which the new government promptly took cognizance of.

One wonders whether a suspension of the PSC's work was unavoidable. A probe could be conducted if there was sufficient ground for it without having the PSC to shutter down. Furthermore, the incumbent PSC chairman having gone on retirement, the post has remained vacant for the last two months. Lately, the post of a member has also fallen vacant.

As a result of the Public Service Commission's unceremonious hibernation for nearly two quarters of a year, the fate of nearly 20,000 examinees of different BCS batches hangs in balance. Even the recruitment to noncadre class I and II services is arranged by the PSC, let alone dealing with matters of promotion to different posts. The PSC now seems confined to some routine matters only.

As it is, we have a degree of sessions jam at the institutions of higher learning. If the PSC does not work for months together then there is bound to be a compound effect in terms of age-barring the students for competitive examinations.

Nobody would like to see the careers of educated young men and women or their chances of early entry into the Republic's services come under clouds.

Let nothing come in the way of the PSC's calendar of activities. Since the former chairman has retired on reaching the age of 65, we must find a helmsman for the organisation first. Other vacancies of the Commission need to be filled up on a priority basis as well. We want the PSC to be revved up and work in full swing.