The question paper leak in the AE(civil) mains paper has rocked the core of Arunachal society and shattered the confidence in the state's highest recruiting body, the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. The arrest of a top official of the rank of Deputy Secretary and cum Deputy Controller of Examination, APPSC and the courier who carried the packet for printing, for execution of the crime has raised many questions over the sanctity of the highest recruitment body.
The accused Deputy Secretary Taket Jerang, who is now in police custody, has been working in the Commission since 1992 and given his long tenure, a shadow of doubt is now cast over the past examinations as well. This, in a fair estimation cannot be a one-off case as many are speculating. It also doesn’t help matters, as a successful candidate of the APPSC 2020, has emerged to be the wife of the alleged middleman Tama Saroh, who is also in police custody.
It is a sad commentary to make that even after three decades of its setting up, the Commission has failed to uphold its image and reputation. It is nothing short of traumatic for thousands of students who pin their hopes of launching their careers through the state's highest recruiting body. Scams and controversies have become a part of almost every exam cycle conducted by the Commission except for a few. Every so often, such fiascoes result in lengthening of the examination process and re-conducting of the exams is being used as a cover-up and a legitimate solution which it is not. The mental and physical exhaustion of candidates, the precious time wasted cannot be overlooked. It is not only condemnable but criminal as it is playing with the future of the youths. Resignation from office is a critical ethical decision for individuals, which in this case seems to be the right thing to do.