MPSC gets new acting secretary Saurabh Katiyar as chairman Bhimanwar goes on leave after paper leak

Students had launched an aggressive agitation after the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) paper leak. The protest in Pune was discussed not only in Maharashtra but across the country.

Acting on the students' demands, the state government sent the commission's chairman, Vivek Bhimanwar, on compulsory leave. A major administrative change has now been made in the MPSC. Saurabh Katiyar, Collector of Mumbai Suburban district and an IAS officer, has been given additional charge as secretary of the commission.

The commission's secretary, Sachin Mahendra Harpalkar, had been transferred while the agitation was on. There had therefore been talk about who would be given charge of the secretary's post. After the agitation, the responsibility has now gone to Katiyar.

Katiyar had also held additional charge as MPSC secretary about a year ago. He therefore has some experience of the commission's work, and that is why he has been given the responsibility.

After the paper leak, students had demanded chairman Bhimanwar's resignation. Taking into account the background of the agitation and the Chief Minister's instruction, it was decided to send Bhimanwar on leave until the inquiry is completed.

The transfer of the secretary and the leave given to the chairman had created uncertainty over who held the charge of the secretary's and chairman's posts in the commission. Now that charge of the secretary's post has been given to Katiyar, the process of handing the chairman's charge to another member of the commission is under way, according to information available.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the paper leak. It has decided to set up a committee headed by Justice Dilip Bhosale, and the committee has been given two months to complete the inquiry.

The proposal to set up the committee has been sent to the Governor. Once the Governor approves it, the committee's official notification will be issued and the committee will then begin the inquiry.

In short, the agitation that began after the paper leak has had repercussions on the commission's administration. The secretary has been transferred, the chairman is on leave until the inquiry is completed, and additional charge of the secretary's post has come to Katiyar. The process of handing the chairman's charge to a member is still under way, while the proposal for the judicial inquiry committee awaits the Governor's approval.

Along with the paper leak inquiry, students and candidates preparing for competitive examinations are now also watching these administrative changes in the commission.