Ranchi, August 15: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday announced comprehensive reforms in the state’s examination system and assured students and job aspirants that allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations would be investigated fairly.
Addressing an Independence Day gathering at Morhabadi Maidaan here, Soren said the government would not allow the hard work of young people to be undermined by corruption, malpractice or other irregularities.He said the administration would investigate complaints related to examinations impartially and initiate legal action against those found responsible.
Soren stressed that the government would not label anyone guilty without evidence, saying due process and fairness would be followed while dealing with allegations.The chief minister said thousands of young people prepare for competitive examinations with significant financial and emotional support from their families.
Any disruption in the recruitment process, he added, affects not only an individual examination but also the confidence of an entire generation.He said the government was therefore working on structural changes rather than limiting its response to identifying individuals allegedly responsible for irregularities.
Among the measures proposed are a time-bound annual examination calendar, greater use of secure technology, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and a multi-level accountability mechanism covering different stages of the examination process.Soren said the objective was to make transparency an integral part of the recruitment system.
He also invited students, teachers, education experts and parents to contribute suggestions under the ‘Chhatron ki Baat – Chhatron ke Saath’ campaign. Suggestions received through the initiative would be reviewed by experts, with those meeting legal and constitutional requirements considered for implementation, he said.Meanwhile, job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission organised a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi on Independence Day.
A large number of participants joined the march carrying the national flag and raising patriotic slogans.Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike, was also reportedly stopped by police when he attempted to leave Sadar Hospital and join the march.
Mahto had been admitted to the hospital on August 10 after his health condition deteriorated during the protest.A video circulating on social media purportedly showed Mahto involved in a confrontation with police on the hospital premises. The circumstances surrounding the incident could not be independently verified.
The developments come amid continuing demands from students and job aspirants for greater transparency, accountability and reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment examination system.The government has maintained that its proposed reforms are aimed at strengthening the system and ensuring that the future of young people is not affected by examination-related irregularities.
