MPSC row: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis seeks panel to probe former and serving members

The Maharashtra government has proposed a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to examine the conduct of former and serving MPSC members. The move comes as MPSC aspirants continue protests in Pune over alleged irregularities and demand the chairman's resignation.

In Short

• Fadnavis recommended a retired judge-led panel to examine MPSC conduct
• The committee has been asked to submit findings within three months
• The proposal follows allegations of paper leaks and wider exam irregularities

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed setting up a committee to examine the conduct of former and serving chairpersons and members of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission after allegations of exam paper leaks, sources said on Tuesday. He has sent the recommendation to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.

The move comes amid protests by MPSC aspirants over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the commission and controversies linked to examinations. According to sources, the chief minister has proposed that the committee be headed by a retired high court judge and submit its report within three months, after which further action should be taken on the basis of its findings.

The recommendation has been made under Article 317 of the Constitution, which deals with the removal and suspension of the chairperson and members of public service commissions.

MPSC PROTESTS CONTINUE IN PUNE

The issue has gathered momentum as protests seeking the resignation of the MPSC chairman have continued for six days in Pune, with support coming from various quarters.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to meet the aspirants on October 7 or 8. Demonstrations are being held over several demands, including whether the MPSC examinations should follow an objective or descriptive format, but the main demand remains the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.

GOVERNMENT MOVES TOWARDS JUDICIAL ENQUIRY

The Maharashtra government had also terminated the deputation of Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar as secretary of the MPSC.

Earlier, after a delegation of MPSC students met Fadnavis, the government said on September 30 that a judicial inquiry would be conducted within three months into the functioning of former and serving MPSC chairpersons and members, as sought by the aspirants, under Article 317 of the Constitution.

In sum, the government has moved towards a judicially led review of the MPSC leadership under Article 317 even as protests by aspirants continue over alleged irregularities and the demand for the chairman's resignation.

(With PTI inputs)

- Ends