Rajasthan MLA's son in queue for peon's job

JAIPUR: Most of the politicians want their children to follow in their footsteps but a Rajasthan MLA wants his son to chart his course according to his eligibility.

BJP legislator Heera Lal Verma does not want his 8th standard pass son, Hansraj, to join politics and considers him good for a peon's job, for which he appeared in an interview at Krishi Upaj Mandi (Rajasthan State Agriculture Marketing Board) in Ajmer on Friday.

A two-time MLA from Tonk district, Verma, who was a state government officer before joining politics, said his son being "less educated" was eligible for this kind of job only and he did not want him to enter politics or do any other "work which is beyond his capabilities or eligibility".

"My son Hansraj works in a private clinic in Niwai and earns Rs 5,000 per month. He was weak in studies and could not clear secondary exam (class X). So this is the only option available to him.

"I will not encourage him to involve in any work or business which is higher than his capabilities or eligibility," the SC category MLA said.

When some of the other MLAs questioned his son's decision to apply for peon's job, Verma told them that "it is unusual but not a sin or anything wrong."

"After all, it is the matter of leading an honest life. I will not encourage my children to use unfair means to lead a 'prosperous' life. He said the interview went well and he would get the job on the basis of his performance only," he said adding that the recruitment process would be transparent.

"I am a post graduate in three subjects and also a gold medalist. I worked as Deputy Director in Social Welfare Department and I know that getting a government job will make his future secure. He could not continue his studies so this type of job is suitable for him," he said.

Verma's eldest ex-councilor son is a businessman, another has recently graduated and is currently preparing for competitive exams and his daughter is pursuing B.Ed.