Port Blair, Aug 25: Shri Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP & Former State President BJP-ANI in a letter to Chief Secretary, A&N Administration demanded three (3) years Relaxation of age for all the aspiring candidates, considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his letter he mentioned that the pandemic of COVID-19 has badly affected us in several ways; however, the Govt of India has taken positive steps to reduce the ill -effects of the pandemic & to reduce the financial burden and in my previous two representations, I have requested to grant age relaxation to every candidate while participating in the recruitment process.

Further he added that there was no fresh direct recruitment held for filling up regular vacancies in the past few years and it is also an admitted position that thousands of aspiring candidates who were eligible with respect to the age has become age-barred since there was no recruitment of regular vacancies in the past around three years due to pandemic situation.

He also stated that it is a matter of fact & of record that several State Governments and UT Administrations have granted age relaxation for considerable period, on the account of pandemic. The Government of India has also considered this fact granted age relaxation in the "Agnipath Scheme". Puducherry Government granted it recently on 29th July, 2022 vide G.O. Ms. No. 50, a copy of which is annexed herewith for your ready reference.

Accordingly, he requested to consider the plight of the candidates who were well within the age limits for participating in the direct recruitment process of regular vacancies three years ago, but have become age-barred now and grant them at least three years age relaxation, in order to enable them to participate in the ongoing recruitment process for filling up 556 posts and all other forthcoming requirements under the A & N Administration