The Maharashtra government has set up a five-member committee to overhaul the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), naming senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as its secretary, ending a 10-day agitation by recruitment aspirants in Pune.
State minister Shivendraraje Bhosale announced the decision on Sunday after meeting the protesting aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge, where the agitation had been underway for ten days over demands including reforms in the state recruitment body and a probe into alleged irregularities such as paper leaks.
Panel composition and mandate
The committee will be headed by former judge Dilip Bhosale, with IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P.D. Naik as its other members. It will investigate examination irregularities and submit its report with recommendations within 60 days, according to reports.
Bhosale told the protesters that their other demands would also be addressed, including the withdrawal of cases registered against some representatives of the agitation, recruitment to 70,000 vacant government posts over the next three years, an increase in the number of seats in the Group C examination scheduled for January, and background checks on the MPSC chairman and secretary before their appointment.
Chairman proceeds on leave
Subsequently, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced that he had proceeded on leave until the inquiry is completed, a key demand of the aspirants. Rahul Gandhi welcomed the decision, saying it would pave the way for a full investigation into corruption and calling it "a big victory for the students, a big victory for the youth."
The aspirants called off their agitation late on Sunday night following the government's assurances.
Sources:
Tukaram Mundhe appointed Secretary of panel to overhaul MPSC; aspirants end agitation - The Hindu
Tukaram Mundhe named secretary of committee to overhaul MPSC amid protests - The Economic Times
State minister Shivendraraje Bhosale announced the decision on Sunday after meeting the protesting aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge, where the agitation had been underway for ten days over demands including reforms in the state recruitment body and a probe into alleged irregularities such as paper leaks.
Panel composition and mandate
The committee will be headed by former judge Dilip Bhosale, with IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P.D. Naik as its other members. It will investigate examination irregularities and submit its report with recommendations within 60 days, according to reports.
Bhosale told the protesters that their other demands would also be addressed, including the withdrawal of cases registered against some representatives of the agitation, recruitment to 70,000 vacant government posts over the next three years, an increase in the number of seats in the Group C examination scheduled for January, and background checks on the MPSC chairman and secretary before their appointment.
Chairman proceeds on leave
Subsequently, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced that he had proceeded on leave until the inquiry is completed, a key demand of the aspirants. Rahul Gandhi welcomed the decision, saying it would pave the way for a full investigation into corruption and calling it "a big victory for the students, a big victory for the youth."
The aspirants called off their agitation late on Sunday night following the government's assurances.
Sources:
Tukaram Mundhe appointed Secretary of panel to overhaul MPSC; aspirants end agitation - The Hindu
Tukaram Mundhe named secretary of committee to overhaul MPSC amid protests - The Economic Times
