In Maharashtra, the candidates’ agitation over alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) recruitment process and allegations of question paper leaks, which has been going on for the last 10 days, ended late on Sunday night. Considering the demands of the protesting candidates, the state government has decided to form a committee to look into the matter.
The candidates decided to end their agitation after the state government formed a committee and the commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar went on leave. Senior IAS officer and FDA commissioner Tukaram Munde has been made the secretary of this committee. An inquiry committee has been formed under the chairmanship of former judge Dilip Bhosale. After the government agreed to their demands, the candidates announced the withdrawal of the agitation for the time being. Meanwhile, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanawar has announced to go on leave till the investigation is completed.
Who is included in the Inquiry Committee?
The committee constituted by the state government will be headed by former judge Dilip Bhosle. Apart from Tukaram Mundhe, IPS officer Lakshmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge PD Naik have been included in the committee. The committee will look into allegations of alleged irregularities and question paper leaks related to the MPSC.
On Sunday, a state government delegation led by minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale met the protesting candidates at Pune’s SM Joshi Bridge. Meanwhile, he was told that many of the demands of the candidates, including the formation of an inquiry committee, have been accepted. However, the main demand of the candidates was the removal of Commission Chairman Vivek Bhimanavar.
The candidates were adamant on their demand for removal of the Speaker
MPSC candidates were protesting in Pune for last 10 days. Their demands include reform of the commission’s recruitment process, an impartial inquiry into alleged irregularities and the removal of the chairman. The candidates said that concrete steps should be taken to ensure transparency in the functioning of the Commission.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar, who was involved in the protest, suggested that the process of the Speaker’s resignation may take time. In such a situation, Bhimanavar should be kept away from the chairmanship till the investigation is completed. After this proposal, there was an uproar at the protest site. While some candidates were in favor of this, some said that the agitation would not end without removing Bhimawar from the post.
After this, Minister Shivendra Raj Bhosale decided to convey the demands of the candidates to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He left the protest site to talk to the Chief Minister. Returning after about 15 minutes, he told the protesters that the government had accepted their demand. After this, candidate’s representative Vivekananda Patil announced the end of the agitation for the time being.
Recruitment demand for 70 thousand posts in three years
The government has also assured to consider other demands of the candidates. These include the demand for withdrawal of cases registered against some representatives involved in the movement, recruitment of 70 thousand posts in the next three years and increase in the number of posts in the Group-C examination to be held in January.
Candidates have also demanded background check before appointment of MPSC chairman and secretary. Apart from this, the representatives of the candidates have also prepared a draft to improve the functioning of the commission. According to Rohit Pawar, the protesting students have endorsed this document. He hoped that the inquiry committee would get an opportunity to work independently.
‘I will be on leave until the investigation is over’
Here, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar posted on social media platform X and informed about going on leave. He said that the state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the question paper leak case. Stating that he has prioritized integrity throughout his life, he said that he has decided to go on leave rather than continue in office till the investigation is completed.
Earlier on Sunday, Rohit Pawar had demanded the state government to clarify its stand on the Bhimnawar issue. He said that the further strategy of the movement will be announced by Sunday evening based on the government’s decision.
Controversy over filing of cases against protestors
During the agitation, the Pune police registered a case against 15 representatives of the protest two days ago. The allegation was that they organized demonstrations without permission, disrupted traffic and violated prohibitory orders imposed in the city. Apart from this, action was also taken against five people on the charge of flying a drone at the protest site.
After registering the case, Rohit Pawar reached Vishram Bagh police station and demanded registration of FIR against him. According to him, the police said that a decision will be taken after investigation.
Rohit Pawar claimed that around 25 lakh students have been directly or indirectly affected by this whole matter. He appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prioritize the concerns of the candidates over his friendship with the commission chairman. He also alleged that the government is not taking the demands of students from poor families seriously. Pawar warned that if students, their families and other citizens join the movement in large numbers, its form may change.
