Satish Waghole given additional charge as MPSC chairman as Vivek Bhimanwar goes on leave

Satish Baban Waghole, a member of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), has been given additional charge as the commission's chairman. Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar is on leave, and the responsibility will remain with Waghole for as long as he is away. Candidates preparing for the civil services have been criticising Bhimanwar over alleged paper leaks and irregularities.

The General Administration Department of the state government issued a notification on October 16. According to it, Waghole's additional charge took effect from the same date.

The appointment comes at a time when resentment among MPSC candidates over the functioning of the state's recruitment body has been growing. Bhimanwar had announced that he would stay on leave until the inquiry into the alleged irregularities was completed, and he then went on leave. The allegations have led to demands for greater transparency in recruitment examinations and accountability within the commission.

Earlier this month, MPSC candidates held a 10-day agitation in Pune. They wanted action on the alleged examination irregularities and demanded that Bhimanwar be removed as chairman. The protesters questioned the examination process and said arrangements should be made to ensure fairness in the commission's recruitments. Their demands also included withdrawing cases registered against some representatives of the agitation and increasing recruitment opportunities in state government departments.

After the agitation, the Maharashtra government set up a committee to investigate the alleged irregularities, including paper leaks. The committee is headed by senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, who is its secretary. Officials said the inquiry will also look at the tenures of current and former chairmen and members of the state's recruitment body. The inquiry is expected to examine the commission's functioning during the relevant periods along with the allegations made by candidates.

Besides Bhimanwar's removal, the protesting candidates have demanded recruitment to 70,000 posts in three years. They have also asked for an increase in the number of posts for the Group C examination to be held in January. They also demand background checks of those appointed as MPSC chairman and secretary before they take up the post.

The government-ordered inquiry comes at a time when the MPSC is expected to respond to the allegations of irregularities and win back the trust of candidates preparing for competitive examinations. Bhimanwar has said he will remain on leave until the inquiry is completed. Under the government notification, Waghole will hold additional charge of the chairman's post in the meantime.