RANCHI, India — Ranchi District Congress Committee president and NSUI representative Kumar Raja on Saturday demanded the immediate cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination and called for investigations into recruitment exams facing allegations of irregularities, as JPSC-JSSC aspirants continued their protest in Ranchi.
- Kumar Raja demanded immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination amid the ongoing aspirants’ protest.
- Congress called for probes into exams facing allegations of irregularities within a strict 90-day timeframe.
- Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government has opened an email channel to collect suggestions on examination reforms.
- BJP leader Babulal Marandi urged the government to hold talks without diverting attention from alleged examination irregularities.
Congress seeks cancellation of 14th JPSC exam
Speaking to reporters during the ongoing protest by JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) aspirants, Kumar Raja said the Congress had submitted a memorandum prepared after consultations with students.
“We have submitted a memorandum, drafted after consulting students and understanding their sentiments and needs. The 14th JPSC examination must be cancelled immediately.”
Raja said the demand was part of a wider call for changes to the recruitment examination system in Jharkhand.
Congress calls for 90-day investigation
Raja also demanded investigations into all examinations facing allegations or suspicion of irregularities.
He said such inquiries should be completed within 90 days through the Criminal Investigation Department or a Special Investigation Team.
He further demanded that information about the investigations, including arrests and irregularities uncovered during the process, should be made public.
According to Raja, greater transparency is required across the JPSC and JSSC examination systems to restore confidence among candidates.
Demand for annual recruitment exam calendar
The Congress leader also called for an annual calendar for recruitment examinations, similar to an academic calendar.
He argued that candidates should have greater clarity about when recruitment examinations will be conducted and said the examination process should be strengthened through an in-house government system.
Raja also blamed outsourcing for what he described as the root cause of problems in the examination system and advocated establishing a government-controlled mechanism for conducting recruitment tests.
Aspirants continue protest in Ranchi
The demands come amid an ongoing protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Ranchi. Candidates have been seeking action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and demanding structural reforms.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the transparency and functioning of recruitment examinations conducted by the two state commissions.
Babulal Marandi asks government not to divert issue
Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi also criticised the JMM-led state government over the issue.
Marandi said dialogue with protesting candidates could help resolve the situation but argued that discussions should not divert attention from allegations of examination irregularities.
“The government should initiate dialogue; it will help resolve the issue. However, the government should not divert the issue under the guise of talks. The matter is extremely serious. The way there were irregularities in the examination and those involved must be punished.”
Marandi also referred to an earlier dispute concerning the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test and recruitment, alleging that the state government had delayed the recruitment process.
He alleged that the government did not want students from Jharkhand to secure government jobs. The allegation was made in the context of his criticism of the state government’s handling of recruitment.
JPSC-JSSC aspirants meet state minister
A delegation of protesting JPSC and JSSC aspirants met Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu on Saturday as the government faced demands for reforms.
The meeting came after continued protests over alleged irregularities and calls for greater transparency in the recruitment examination process.
Government opens email for reform suggestions
Following a meeting with representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, Minister Sonu announced a dedicated email channel through which students and other stakeholders can submit suggestions for policy reforms.
The minister said the government would engage with different student groups and stakeholders before taking a collective decision on reforms.
“We will continue to meet with various student groups and stakeholders. We will meet with all of them.”
Sonu said students, individuals and other stakeholders could submit their suggestions through the email address released by the government, and that the feedback would be considered while formulating a reform policy.
Government and protesters face pressure over exam reforms
The developments indicate growing political and student pressure over the functioning of JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
While opposition leaders and Congress representatives are demanding investigations and specific action, the state government has indicated that it wants to gather feedback from students and stakeholders before framing a reform policy.
The central issue remains the demand for a transparent recruitment system and action over allegations of irregularities in competitive examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the demand regarding the 14th JPSC examination?
Congress leader Kumar Raja has demanded the immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, citing concerns raised by students amid the ongoing protest over alleged examination irregularities.
What has the Jharkhand government done on examination reforms?
Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government has released a dedicated email channel to receive suggestions from students, individuals and stakeholders. The government plans to consider the feedback while formulating a reform policy.
What happens next?
The government is expected to continue consultations with student groups and other stakeholders as protests over JPSC and JSSC examinations continue.
The demands for cancellation, investigation and structural reforms are likely to remain central to the ongoing dispute as the state government works on its proposed examination reform policy.
Legal Disclaimer
This report covers allegations and political statements concerning recruitment examinations. Allegations mentioned in the article should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed through an official investigation or competent authority. The final determination of any legal or administrative wrongdoing rests with the appropriate authorities.
