JPSC cancellation demand met, but Jharkhand students hold firm on CBI probe

Protesting students in Jharkhand on Sunday (August 9) said their demand for cancellation of the JPSC exam had been accepted, but they would continue their agitation until the state government announced a CBI probe.

Student leaders said they would march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 and were “not ready for compromise” without a CBI probe. The talks broke down despite multiple rounds of negotiations and several concessions from the government, including its decision to cancel the 14th JPSC examination, order probes into alleged irregularities and introduce reforms in the recruitment system.

Govt announces two-pronged probe

Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government had held three days of talks with the aspirants and conducted extensive consultations before deciding to address alleged irregularities in the 14th GPSC and the 2023-25 backlog recruitment.

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“Following three days of talks and extensive consultations, and acting on the instructions of CM Hemant Soren, the government decided to address the irregularities associated with the 14th GPSC and the 2023-25 backlog recruitments through a two-pronged approach. Criminal aspects will be investigated by the CID; furthermore, given the financial implications and evidence of illicit financial transactions, a request will be made for an ED investigation,” Sonu said, according to news agency ANI.

He said a fast-track court would subsequently be set up and charge sheets against the accused would be filed within 90 days.

On reforms, Sonu said the government would form a committee of experts from IIT-ISM, IIM Ranchi and XLRI to guide the process.

CGL cancellation remains sticking point

“Following these discussions, student representatives demanded the cancellation of the CGL examination. The government clearly stated that, as the examination was conducted in accordance with the directives of the High Court and the Supreme Court, and is currently under their monitoring, it lacks the authority to cancel it,” he said.

The government offered to constitute a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge to oversee the investigation, but the students rejected the proposal.

“We believe the government agreed to 98 percent of the points raised. The remaining two percent, specifically the demand to cancel the CGL exam, could not be met because the government cannot unilaterally cancel an exam conducted under court orders, where results have been published, and successful candidates are already employed,” Sonu said.

Three JPSC members tender resignation

Meanwhile, three serving members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) have resigned amid ongoing student protests over alleged irregularities in examinations.

Also read | Ink thrown at AISA chief during Jharkhand exam protest march; accused arrested

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignation of Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad, according to a statement issued by the Lok Bhavan.

The resignations came after the CID summoned the three members for questioning in connection with the allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks. Bhattacharya, who is the wife of JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya, is scheduled to be questioned on August 10, Ahmad on August 12, and Hansda on August 14, officials said. The three members were appointed in September 2021.

On July 22, JPSC chairperson L Khiangte had tendered his resignation. Nineteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations, while Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.

‘Dialogue, not batons, can solve problems’

Earlier today, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren warned political parties against allegedly misleading students protesting over recruitment examination irregularities, saying the ongoing agitation should not be politicised.

Soren said the government was committed to addressing the protesters’ concerns through dialogue and transparency. He stressed that force was not the answer to the students' demands.

“Dialogue, not batons, can solve problems; weapons for enemies at border,” the chief minister said, promising justice to exam protesters through a transparent process, reported news agency PTI.