Ranchi, Aug 9: Ranchi District Congress Committee president and NSUI representative Kumar Raja on Saturday demanded the immediate cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process and calling for urgent measures to restore candidates’ confidence.
Addressing a press briefing amid ongoing protests by aspirants in Ranchi, Raja said the Congress has prepared a memorandum incorporating concerns raised by students and would press the government to take decisive action.
“The 14th JPSC examination should be cancelled immediately” to restore candidates’ faith in the recruitment system, Raja said.
He also demanded a comprehensive investigation into all examinations facing allegations of irregularities or misconduct. Raja proposed that the probe be conducted by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and completed within 90 days.
He further demanded that the findings of the investigation be made public, including details of arrests made in connection with the alleged irregularities.
Raja also called for structural changes in the state’s recruitment system. He demanded an annual recruitment calendar on the lines of an academic calendar, saying it would bring greater predictability and transparency to government recruitment.
He also advocated ending the outsourcing of examination-related processes, arguing that greater government oversight would make the system more transparent and accountable.
“With proper reforms, Jharkhand could become a model for fair and transparent recruitment examinations across the country,” Raja said.
The Congress leader’s demands came amid a wider agitation by students and job aspirants over alleged irregularities in JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations.
Jharkhand Assembly Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi also criticised the JMM-led government over the issue. He alleged that the government was failing to address serious flaws in the examination process and was attempting to sidestep the matter through what he termed “superficial dialogues”.
Meanwhile, the state government has indicated that it will continue discussions with student organisations and other stakeholders.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu announced the creation of a dedicated email address through which students and other stakeholders can submit suggestions and feedback on reforms to the recruitment examination system.
The minister said the inputs received from students would be considered while framing future policies aimed at addressing grievances related to competitive examinations.
The developments come as the student agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations continues in Ranchi, with protesters pressing for examination cancellations, independent investigations and wider reforms in the recruitment system.
