ICJR demands speedy action on cash-for-job scam in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR: Resenting the delay in initiating administrative actions against the officers and officials involved in the infamous cash-for-job scam for LDC/JSA examination conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), the APSSB Interim Committee for Justice and Reformation (ICJR) had declared 'Black Day' on August 25.

Addressing reporters here recently, ICJR legal advisor SD Loda said that August 25 was marked as the 'Black Day' against the corrupt officers. He even requested the students and the public to carry out demonstrations against corruption at their respective DC office during that day.

He asked Chief Minister Pema Khandu to stick to his words as assured to the ICJR in a meeting earlier that he would take immediate actions against the corrupt officials. Loda also said that Khandu, who had termed the APSSB as his pet project, is yet to deliver justice to the deprived aspirants even after six months of his promise.

Requesting the State government to make public the report of the two-member committee, Loda said that the report submitted by the committee is very crucial for taking any action against the officials involved in the scam. "If the report is not made public, there is every chance of tampering with it. Therefore, we stick to the demand of making the report public and demand necessary administrative actions against all involved in the cash-for-job scam," he added.

"Why is the State government not taking any action against the APCS and IAS cadre officers' involved in the scam?" he asked. He also questioned "the government's move to cancel the UDC exams when everyone knows the cash for job scam". "Though, we don't have concrete evidence in the illegal recruitment of UDCs, we doubt that the entire process of recruitment in APSSB from the date of its implementation was illegal," he added.

Meanwhile, ICJR advisor Debia Muj questioned as to why the State government did not terminate the accused Kapter Ringu and others involved in the scam as an administrative action? "The legal actions will go alongside investigation but the administrative action of termination should be provided first," he said, while requesting the entire legislators to raise their voices against such practices in the Assembly session slated to be held from August 27.

He further said that a recent audio clip of a lady alleging a medical officer involved in the cash-for-job scam in Lohit district is the best example that the people have no fear of such practices due to no strict and immediate actions. "People should have a fear before bribing and accepting the bribe. The State government should make a strict rule so that no one dares to take bribes," he added.

He also informed that around 20 people have been arrested so far in the cash-for-job scam and the investigation is almost complete. The only thing left is to file the chargesheet. "When the investigation is almost complete and chargesheet remains to be filed, where is the fear for any kind of hindrance in the investigation," he said, questioning State Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar who during an earlier press briefing had said that making the report public will hamper the investigation process.

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