MPSC scraps drug inspector exam amid paper leak scandal, Opposition demands stern action
Mumbai, Aug 26 (IANS) Upping the ante over paper leak scandal, the Opposition parties, including NCP SP and Congress in Maharashtra announced that their fight against paper leaks will continue in future.
Their demand for action against culprits followed an announcement by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) on late Tuesday evening, when it cancelled the recruitment process for the post of Drug Inspector (Group-B) under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department.
The decision to cancel exams came in wake of a preliminary investigation into allegations of malpractices during the screening examination held on March 22. Both parties demanded that the guilty should be punished. They also made a strong case for the resignation of the MPSC chairman.
NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar said that the paper leak in the commission is not an ordinary incident but an extremely serious matter, and this is a question of the commission’s credibility.
“Therefore, the chairman of the commission should take moral responsibility and resign immediately. The government should also appoint a person with a clean image to the position of chairman of the commission. The ministers of the General Administration Department should also take a stand on behalf of the government and inform the people of the state about the facts,” he added.
He stated that the paper leak incident in the Drug Inspector exam has finally been cancelled by MPSC, adding that he had raised the issue of paper leak with full evidence, followed up with all necessary actions with the investigation agencies.
He remarked that finally the investigation has concluded that there was indeed a paper leak.
“Even though the commission has canceled the paper, their explanation that the paper was only with one student is absolutely unacceptable. According to the information we have received, the fact is that papers were sold for 40-40 lakhs through an agent racket operating across the state, and the commission is also aware of this fact,” he said.
He demanded that “Instead of trying to suppress this matter, the commission should make the inquiry report public, and what happened to the agent people whose names we had provided? Is anyone from the commission involved? Whose blessings are at play? They should also reveal this. If the commission tries to cover up this matter, we will not remain silent.”
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that although he had raised voice against the paper leak, MPSC has canceled the entire recruitment process.
“We had raised our voice regarding the paper leak in the MPSC Drug Inspector recruitment exam. We had demanded that the exam be canceled and action be taken against the guilty.Today, after it became clear that irregularities had occurred, MPSC has decided to cancel the entire recruitment process. This decision is a success for our persistent efforts made for the rights of students who have toiled for years,” noted Wadettiwar.
In warning, he said that “We will not spare those who play with the future of students. This fight against paper leaks will continue in the same way.”
–IANS
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