Maharashtra orders judicial probe into Public Service Commission, secretary to go
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said the secretary of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) would be transferred immediately, and that a judicial inquiry would be conducted within three months into the functioning of former and current MPSC chairpersons and members under Article 317 of the Constitution.
The decisions were announced after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a detailed discussion with a delegation of aspirants preparing for MPSC examinations and responded positively to their concerns, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.
Following the meeting, job seekers decided to temporarily suspend their protest scheduled for October 2.
The statement said, "The transfer of the MPSC Secretary will be carried out immediately." It also said further action would be taken on the basis of the findings of the judicial inquiry.
On the conduct of examinations, the government said MPSC exams would continue to be held offline and that no change would be made without discussions with all stakeholders.
On recruitment, the government accepted the demand to increase vacancies for the Group C examination scheduled for January 3. The statement said the increase in vacancies would be a "record".
It added that the government was preparing to fill a record number of vacancies as recruitment rules in several departments were being revised. Rules have been framed for 60 per cent of departments, while the process is underway for the remaining departments.
The government also said it would announce vacancies for three years together and begin the recruitment process for posts falling vacant due to retirement one year in advance. A complete recruitment schedule will be finalised within a month, the statement said.
It further said the government planned to introduce a single card through which candidates could appear for all examinations at a nominal cost. A system would also be developed so that candidates do not have to repeatedly submit the same documents.- Ends
