Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants have called off their 10-day protest in Pune after the state government agreed to set up an inquiry committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the recruitment body, including claims of examination paper leaks. MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has also proceeded on leave until the inquiry is completed, according to a PTI report.The protest was called off late Sunday night at S M Joshi Bridge after a delegation led by Maharashtra minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale met the protesters and conveyed the government’s decision to accept most of their demands. The agitation had centred on allegations of irregularities in the commission’s functioning and demands for greater accountability in the recruitment process.Following discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the government agreed to keep Bhimanwar away from his post while the inquiry is underway.
Maharashtra government constitutes committee to probe MPSC allegations
The state government has decided to constitute an inquiry committee headed by former judge Dilip Bhosale. Senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe will serve as the committee’s secretary. The other members are IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik.The panel will examine allegations of irregularities in the functioning of the MPSC, including claims of examination paper leaks. The inquiry is expected to address the concerns raised by aspirants, who have sought accountability and changes to the recruitment system.Bhimanwar announced his decision to proceed on leave in a post on X, stating that he would remain away from the chairman’s position until the inquiry was completed.The decision to constitute the committee and keep the chairman away from his duties during the investigation marks a key development in the agitation. The findings of the inquiry and the subsequent action taken by the government will be closely watched by candidates preparing for state government recruitment examinations.
MPSC aspirants demand recruitment reforms, 70,000 vacancies
The protesters had sought Bhimanwar’s removal and reforms to improve the commission’s functioning. Among their demands was the filling of 70,000 vacancies over three years to address staffing requirements across government departments.The aspirants also demanded an increase in the number of seats for the Group C examination scheduled for January. They called for background checks on the MPSC chairman and secretary before their appointments, seeking greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.The government has agreed to address most of the demands raised during the protest, according to the PTI report. However, the implementation of the proposed measures, including recruitment targets and examination-related changes, remains an important issue for candidates awaiting further decisions.
Cases against protest representatives also raised
The agitation also led to police action against some of the protesters. Pune Police registered cases against 15 protest representatives over allegations of organising the demonstration without permission, obstructing traffic and violating prohibitory orders.Five other people were booked for allegedly flying a drone at the protest site.The government has assured the aspirants that their demand for the withdrawal of cases registered against some protest representatives would be addressed.With the protest now called off, attention has shifted to the inquiry committee’s investigation and the government’s follow-up action. For MPSC aspirants, the outcome will be important in determining whether their concerns over alleged irregularities are addressed and whether the promised recruitment reforms translate into concrete measures.(With PTI inputs)