TOMCOM Candidates Demand Refunds, Alleging Cheating in Recruitment Programs

Around 20 candidates confronted the general manager of Telangana Overseas Manpower Company (TOMCOM) on Tuesday, November 10, demanding refunds, alleging the organisation cheated them. The confrontation with General Manager K Naga Bharathi was recorded on camera, where she explains the status of the enrolled recruitment programmes to the agitated candidates. “You assured us of TOMCOM ‘s support even if we did not clear the B1 classes. But so far, there has been no support. We have invested a lot of money in hopes of finding a secure job abroad, with some of us taking loans and pledging our belongings. But today, most of us find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of what to do next,” a candidate said. “We just need our money,” they said. Naga Bharathi tried to calm them, saying, “The minister has enquired about the details, and a report will be submitted soon. But as of now, I cannot answer all your questions without consulting Managing Director Nirmala Kanthi Wesley and the minister.” However, when one candidate asked which minister she was referring to, she remained quiet. spoke to a candidate who said that they were informed that officials are reportedly discussing the possibility of offering conditional or tier-based refunds. Under the alleged proposal, candidates who completed the B1 level may receive higher refunds, while those failing to do so may receive smaller refunds or no refunds at all. Since October, has run exclusive four-part investigative stories on how candidates were cheated on the pretext of jobs in Germany (Ausbildung). RTI replies from the organisation claimed that 12 of the 79 candidates in its German apprenticeship, or Ausbildung programme, have been deployed in Germany. found that the figures did not add up and found discrepancies between TOMCOM’s RTI reply and its separate email responses. The candidates have strongly disputed it. Candidates listed 14 people who they say reached Germany, with at least eight through private routes. sent the list to TOMCOM on October 23, asking whether its tally included any of them or anyone recruited privately or moved to another trade. The October 27 reply repeated that 12 were deployed after online interviews, without saying whether any of the 14 were among them. The expose has caught the attention of the Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which is seeking a white paper on the issue from the government.