Arunachal government constitutes one-man commission to probe APSSC paper leak issue

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ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government has constituted a one-man commission to probe into the alleged question paper leaks in various recruitment examinations conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). The Commission, led by retired Justice P. K. Deka, will investigate the alleged question paper leaks in various exams conducted by the APPSC from April 2014 to August last year, an official order said. The constitution of the commission came against a backdrop of hue and cry concerning the transparency and fairness of the recruitment process due to suspected question paper leaks in various exams conducted over an eight-year period in the state. State chief secretary Dharmendra stated in the order issued on Wednesday that the commission would operate under a well-defined set of ‘Terms of Reference’, aimed at unearthing the truth behind alleged instances of question paper leaks and associated irregularities during the specified period of APPSC examinations. It will also scrutinise potential lapses on the part of officials, officers, and other stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the recruitment process.

Additionally, the Commission is tasked with suggesting corrective measures to ensure future recruitment procedures uphold transparency, impartiality, and efficiency. Furthermore, any other pertinent issues that emerge during the course of the investigation will be examined, and recommendations will be formulated accordingly, in the order stated. The Commission has also been empowered to summon individuals for sworn testimonies, requisition relevant documents, accept evidence in affidavit form, obtain public records, and scrutinize both witnesses and documents pertinent to the case, it said. The APPSC has been asked to provide all secretarial, logistical, and other assistance to the Commission, which is expected to compile a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations within a span of three months.

The question paper leak incident came to light after one Gyamar Padung, a candidate of the APPSC assistant engineer (civil) examination himself, filed a police complaint before the Itanagar police station on August 29 last year, claiming that he suspected that the examination paper had been leaked. The case was initially investigated by the Capital Police and later transferred to the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) of the State Police and then the CBI. So far, a total of 46 people, including 39 government officials and employees, have been arrested for their involvement in the scam. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu stated that all 13 demands raised by a specific group concerning the APPSC issue have been fulfilled.

Khandu said that detailed information regarding these accomplishments would be released to the public in the coming days. Khandu, while revealing about his recent meeting with the newly appointed state’s DGP, Anand Mohan, emphasised the importance of staying updated on the progress of the investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while also respecting the autonomy of the central investigating agency. “The collaboration between our government and the CBI is vital for conducting a thorough and efficient investigation,” Khandu stated in a statement. Regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) involvement in the case, the chief minister shared that an official request has been made for the ED’s participation. He further elaborated that the CBI has a dedicated unit responsible for tracing financial connections in cases like these, indicating that both the ED and CBI are working in tandem to uncover any potential financial irregularities associated with the APPSC fiasco. “The impact of this incident extends beyond the youth and general public, reaching me personally. Our focus should now shift towards contributing to the solution rather than exacerbating the problem,” Khandu added.

Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APSSC) question paper leak case: CBI files charge sheet against 8

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