Fadnavis recommends inquiry panel against MPSC members as Pune students protest paper leak

Students are protesting in Pune over several issues related to the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). Along with the paper leak case, they have also raised questions about the commission's functioning. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now taken cognisance of the agitation.

Fadnavis has requested Governor Jishnudev Varma to constitute a committee for action under Article 317 of the Constitution against the former and current chairpersons and members of the commission. As per the Chief Minister's recommendation, the committee would be headed by a retired High Court judge.

The Governor has also been told that the committee should submit its report within three months and that further action should be taken on the basis of its findings. In talks with the students, it was made clear that an inquiry process is necessary before the commission's chairperson can be removed outright. Fadnavis then recommended the committee.

The investigation has found that the paper for the drug inspector post examination of the Food and Drug Administration department, conducted by the commission, had been leaked. Three students benefited from the leak. These students and other accused have been arrested.

Students preparing for competitive examinations are angry that the paper of an exam conducted directly by the MPSC was leaked. They are demanding the resignation of commission chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar.

Protests over different MPSC issues are under way at three places in Pune. Students are also protesting under the leadership of MLA Rohit Pawar. Students are divided on whether the State Services Main Examination paper should be objective or descriptive. The mood is therefore tense over both the MPSC's functioning and the examination pattern.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held between Fadnavis, students preparing for MPSC competitive examinations and coaching class operators. In that meeting, students were assured that MPSC secretary Mahendra Harpalkar would be transferred.

Accordingly, Harpalkar has been relieved of the post of MPSC secretary. With the protests continuing, attention is now on what further decisions the administration takes. As the government has recommended a committee, what the inquiry brings out will be important.