… the Commission disqualifies the other

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) has reconsidered one of the two Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) selected candidates who tested positive for a controlled substance on the medical ground.

The candidate, according to RCSC’s senior human resource officer of exam division, Jigme Norbu, provided a prescription from a doctor and other necessary documents.

Two of the 385 Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) selected candidates who underwent a mandatory pre-employment drug test for recruitment into the civil service tested positive in December last year.

RCSC refused to share the details of the candidates, claiming it was withheld for confidential and ethical reasons.

Jigme Norbu said that the candidate they reconsidered provided the proof that the candidate was undergoing medication.

He said that after the candidate tested positive, they have the right to appeal to the commission. “The candidates did and the commission verified with the documents as a proof.”

The senior human resource officer said that it was established that the candidate was undergoing medication and the prescribed drug was listed as a controlled drug by the Bhutan Narcotic Control Authority (BNCA).

He, however, said that the other candidate has neither provided any medical evidence nor reported to the commission. The candidate should have reported on Monday.

Jigme Norbu said that since the candidate didn’t report, he would be considered as disqualified. “The slot will be offered to the next candidate on standby.”

He said that the candidate will be allowed to reappear the civil service examination the following year but have to follow the same process for recruitment. “This would be subject to clearing medical fitness and drug test again.”

Meanwhile, the test, which was done in collaboration with BNCA in Thimphu from December 20 till December 25, was conducted to support the national effort to deter drug use and maintain a drug-free civil service.

The requirement is an addition to the medical certificate of fitness that is required for recruitment into the civil service.

The test is also to identify those who are dependent on controlled substances and to give treatment accordingly

The test kit detects about 10 different types of non-permissible listed drugs including marijuana, ketamine, cocaine, benzodiazepines, tramadol, opiates and propoxyphene. The test kit costs Nu 385 and the urine container costs Nu 14, which was borne by the candidates.

Yangchen C Rinzin