ITANAGAR, 25 May: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment towards ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment system.

He said this while addressing the distribution ceremony of the orders of appointment to 404 successful candidates of the Junior Engineer Combined Recruitment Examination (JECRE),2025 conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).

Congratulating the newly-appointed JEs and their family members, the chief minister said the achievement of the successful candidates was the result of hard work, merit and the unwavering support of parents, guardians and well-wishers.

Highlighting the scale and competitiveness of the recruitment process, he informed that a total of 9,023 candidates had applied for the written examination, out of which 1,236 candidates qualified for the interview stage, ultimately leading to the selection of 404 candidates.

The chief minister lauded the APPSC for conducting the examination in a transparent and time-bound manner.

 Recalling the reforms initiated by the state government after irregularities surfaced in the commission in 2020, Khandu said the government carried out a complete overhaul of the institution by addressing loopholes and grey areas through extensive consultations with experts and stakeholders. He stated that the commission has now emerged as a robust and credible institution successfully conducting transparent recruitment for Group A and Group B services over the past several years.

Khandu also highlighted the role of the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board, established in 2017 to streamline recruitment for Group C posts and provide equal opportunities to all aspirants,irrespective of influence or connections. He said the government’s reform-driven approach was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “who has emphasised the importance of systemic reforms for accelerating Arunachal Pradesh’ development trajectory.”

Emphasising that Arunachal’s youths possess immense talent and potential, the chief minister encouraged the successful candidates to “continue aspiring for higher goals, including examinations conducted by the public service commission and even the Union Public Service Commission.” He expressed confidence that many among the selected candidates would go on to occupy higher administrative positions in the future.

The newly-appointed JEs have been recruited across key engineering departments including Public Works Department, Rural Works Department, Urban Development & Housing Department, Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department, Hydropower Development Department, and the Department of Power.

Describing the role of JEs as crucial in infrastructure development, Khandu stressed the importance of maintaining quality, transparency and timely completion of government projects. Referring to recent district-level reviews conducted by the state government, he said that shortage of technical manpower has emerged as a major concern across districts, and expressed confidence that the new appointments would significantly help bridge the gap.

He urged the engineers to uphold the highest professional standards while ensuring that quality is never compromised in execution of roads, bridges, buildings and other public infrastructure projects. He observed that in many cases quality issues in public works arise due to shortage of technical supervision, and emphasised that the newly-recruited engineers would play a vital role in strengthening project monitoring and implementation.

The chief minister further informed that the state government would soon facilitate professional training for the newly-appointed engineers in collaboration with reputed institutions before their field postings. He stated that, initially, the engineers would be posted in planning and design wings under various departments to gain technical exposure and practical experience under senior officers, before being assigned site responsibilities.

Stressing the importance of planning and design, Khandu said these wings form the backbone of engineering departments as all project execution ultimately depends on proper planning, structural design and technical scrutiny. He encouraged the recruits to learn thoroughly during their initial years of service, so that they can later discharge field responsibilities efficiently and professionally.

The chief minister also called upon the youths to contribute towards building a positive and progressive environment in the state by guiding unemployed and uneducated youths in their respective communities towards productive opportunities. He urged educated youths to continuously upgrade their knowledge and explore various government schemes and entrepreneurship opportunities beyond conventional government employment.

Referring to the rapid growth of the hydropower sector in the state, Khandu said Arunachal is presently witnessing investments worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in the sector, “owing to the vision and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He said such investments would gradually transform the state’s economic landscape and create new opportunities for the younger generation.

Reiterating that honesty and transparency remain non-negotiable principles of the present government, the chief minister urged the recruits to work with dedication and sincerity while serving the people of the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, ministers, MLAs, the chief secretary, senior officers, and officials of the departments concerned were also present at the programme. (CM’s PR Cell)