Maharashtra Forms Panel to Probe MPSC Irregularities
A five-member committee led by retired judge Dilip Bhosale will investigate alleged paper leaks and irregularities in MPSC recruitment exams.
In a significant move to address the growing unrest among aspirants, the Maharashtra government has established a high-level five-member committee to investigate alleged irregularities and paper leaks within the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The probe aims to examine serious complaints regarding recruitment examinations that have triggered widespread protests in Pune.
High-Level Committee Appointed
The investigative body will be headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale. To ensure administrative coordination, the government has appointed Tukaram Mundhe, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, as the committee's secretary.
The committee comprises distinguished members, including:
- Laxmi Gautam, IPS Officer
- Ganesh Patil, former IAS officer
- P D Naik, retired judge
The decision was announced by Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale following intense discussions regarding the demands of protesting candidates. The aspirants have been demanding transparency, the withdrawal of legal cases filed against protesters, and the recruitment of 70,000 posts over the next three years.
MPSC Chairman Goes on Leave
Amidst the escalating agitation, the MPSC Chairman, Vivek Bhimanwar, has been sent on compulsory leave. This decision follows an 11-day-long protest in Pune where students demanded his resignation.
In a statement shared on X, Bhimanwar expressed his commitment to ethics, stating: "I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post until this inquiry is completed. The autonomy, credibility, and interests of students of the MPSC have always been my priority."
The Core of the Allegations
The controversy stems from the screening examination held on March 22. While the results were declared on June 12 and interviews were conducted in July, the process hit a wall when complaints flooded in via email. Candidates and public representatives alleged that question papers were leaked as early as March 20 and circulated through social media before the exam took place.
Following these allegations of malpractice, the MPSC was forced to cancel the entire recruitment process for the Drug Inspector post. The government has now assured students that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of involvement in the paper leak scandal.
Relief for Protesting Students
During a meeting with the aspirants, Minister Bhosale provided some immediate relief by announcing that the cases registered against students involved in the agitation would be withdrawn. He emphasized that the government is taking a positive stance and that the newly formed committee is a necessary step to ensure technical and procedural corrections are made to restore the integrity of the commission.