Ranchi: The ongoing controversy surrounding irregularities at the Jharkhand Public Service Commission has taken a major turn. Three current JPSC members resigned from their posts on Monday, August 10th, just a day after receiving summons from the Central Intelligence Agency (CID). Meanwhile, the government has also agreed to cancel the PT exam following a 16-day student protest.
Who are the three resigning members?
Ajita Bhattacharya, Jameel Ahmed, and Anima Hansda are among those who resigned. All three submitted their resignations to Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, which were accepted on the state government’s recommendation.
These appointments were made on September 2nd, 2021, following the state cabinet’s approval in August 2021. The CID will now seek information from them regarding the decisions and procedures related to the JPSC exam held on April 19th.
Notably, Dr. Ajita Bhattacharya is the wife of the JMM spokesperson and general secretary. She is also considered close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The simultaneous resignation of the three is considered a major development in the JPSC controversy.
Government accepts students’ key demands
Today marks the 16th day of the students’ protest. Following this, the government has agreed to cancel the PT exam. It will also order the CID and ED to investigate irregularities in the old papers.
According to sources, the government has informed the students that a charge sheet will be filed within 90 days and a fast-track court will be set up. Minister Sudipya Kumar said that officials have had positive discussions with the students.
However, the government is not in favor of canceling all the exams in which the accused, Abhay Tiwari, participated. Tiwari is said to have passed 12 exams in the last 13 years.
Standoff on CBI Investigation
A CBI investigation, the students’ primary demand, remains unconfirmed. Student leaders have made it clear that they will march to the Assembly on August 10th and will not end the protest until a CBI investigation is announced.
The students say, “There will be no compromise until a CBI investigation is announced.” The government will recommend an ED investigation into the financial irregularities. The minister assured that action will be taken with transparency.
What began with allegations of irregularities within the JPSC has now escalated to the commission’s resignations and the government’s backtracking. It remains to be seen when the impasse over the demand for a CBI investigation will be broken.