Not a single graduate from the country’s premier IITs and IIMs are among those in Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ ambitious internship programme.
Three graduates who refused the offer are from IIT, while no IIM graduate even applied for the programme.
Twenty applicants — most of whom scored the highest marks in the tests — turned down the government offer. The first batch of interns in the chief minister’s office now has graduates from the engineering and science streams.
Fadnavis had announced that he will recruit graduates from IIT, IIM and management schools as trainees to work with the government for 11 months. The idea behind the initiative was to engage the best talent to help with ideation and innovation in key projects.
The recruitment process went on for more than six months, after which the government has shortlisted 40 interns this week.
Some of those who turned down the offer said the low stipend — Rs20,000 a month — discouraged them, others said they wanted to pursue studies, cited differences in the job profile and unwillingness to quit current jobs.
A CMO official said there is a possibility a few more from the batch of 40 may drop out, as many are yet to report to work. The government is also apprehensive about how many will stay the whole 11 months. “This is why the CM told administrative heads that the interns should be given meaningful assignments and treated like government employees. It will be a challenge for us to maintain their interest, as the future of the programme depends on the feedback of the first batch,” the official said.
{{/usCountry}}A CMO official said there is a possibility a few more from the batch of 40 may drop out, as many are yet to report to work. The government is also apprehensive about how many will stay the whole 11 months. “This is why the CM told administrative heads that the interns should be given meaningful assignments and treated like government employees. It will be a challenge for us to maintain their interest, as the future of the programme depends on the feedback of the first batch,” the official said.
{{/usCountry}}“It it true the final list does not have graduates from IIT and IIMs. Although, initially we were keen on attracting graduates from these institutions, we thought we should concentrate on other streams to make the programme inclusive,” said Priya Khan, officer on special duty to chief minister.
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