Women slam chest specs for forest dept

A Haryana Staff Selection Commission order stipulating chest measurement of women appearing for a forest department test on July 12 - at least 74cm and 79cm, unexpanded and expanded - has drawn flak. Candidates said it was a bid to "tamper with our dignity".

Opposition leaders are up in arms over a physical measurement test (PMT) being ordered for the recruitment of women as forest rangers in Haryana Forest Services, mandated by Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC).

Leader of opposition Bhupinder Hooda and Rajya Sabha MP and AICC incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala have taken strong exception to the test, especially the measurement of women's chest as "shameful and objectionable". While a government official on Saturday categorically maintained that this exercise was being carried out as mandated in rules for recruitment mandated by Haryana Forest Services (executive) branch.

The recruitment to the posts of male and female forest rangers and deputy forest rangers is in progress by HSSC. The commission on Friday mandated parameters related to PMT for male and female candidates, especially about expanded and unexpanded chest.

"Khattar-Chautala government is devising ways to torture and humiliate Haryana youth. Now, with this order, they are trying to humiliate our daughters and sisters. This is really highly objectionable and shameful. We urge the government to withdraw this rule as soon as possible," said Surjewala He added this was not being followed by Haryana Police and not even central police organisations.

"We wonder how come Haryana government has woken up to resort to this," he said. Leader of opposition Bhupinder Hooda termed the move highly objectionable.