All is not well with ONGC’s Contractual Doctor Selection Process in Gujarat

Ahmedabad : Several aspiring doctors in Gujarat have raised concerns over the recruitment practices employed by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India’s leading energy enterprise. Despite possessing the requisite qualifications and experience, many candidates allege being unfairly overlooked in favour of those with personal connections within the organisation.

Among the aggrieved is a seasoned general physician who has diligently appeared for interviews for the past few years to secure a medical officer position on a contractual basis at ONGC’s Ahmedabad facility. Despite prior contractual engagements and eligibility, his efforts have been in vain. His plight mirrors that of numerous other doctors aspiring to serve at one of India’s premier public sector enterprises.

ONGC, known for its expansive operations in oil and gas exploration across India, routinely supplements its medical workforce with doctors on contractual terms. This ongoing recruitment drive for the western sector, encompassing locations such as Mehsana, Vadodara, and Dahej, Ahmedabad, Ankleshwar, Cambay, Hazira, and  Jodhpur seeks to fill 19 positions across various specialties including emergency care, occupational health, and homoeopathy.

However, allegations abound regarding the fairness and transparency of ONGC’s recruitment procedures. Critics claim that nepotism and opaque selection criteria dominate the process, with appointments allegedly influenced by personal references and pressure tactics rather than merit-based assessments.

“I have been applying for interviews whenever vacancies are announced, only to witness those with insider connections securing positions,” lamented a doctor who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal.

In an ongoing interview, senior ONGC officers strongly argued with the committee to recruit one female doctor at any cost. It is also learnt that no merit list was published on ONGC website during the last contractual doctor recruitment process at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This led to speculation that the entire recruitment process was rigged and just an eye wash.

Furthermore, concerns were raised about the re-recruitment of certain doctors without adherence to competitive selection norms. Reports suggest instances where individuals associated with senior officials or those facilitating the empanelment of doctors continue to secure repeated contractual terms, irrespective of their performance or competency.

Amidst these allegations, calls for reforming the recruitment process have intensified. Aspirants advocate for the introduction of a neutral agency-conducted written test followed by interviews conducted by external medical professionals and officials. Such reforms, they argue, would inject transparency and credibility into ONGC’s hiring practices, ensuring fair opportunities for all qualified candidates.

Despite repeated attempts to seek clarification from ONGC’s corporate communication department, responses regarding these allegations remain elusive. The Blunt Times reached out via email and other means, awaiting an official statement to address the concerns raised by the medical community and the broader public.