ITANAGAR, Aug 17: In the wake of the continuous pressure from the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) and the public demanding  updates about the ongoing investigation in the APPSC  cash for job scam, the State government on Thursday issued a status report, stating that the 13-point demands of the PAJSC have been resolved.  
The report issued by  the Joint Secretary, Administrative Reforms, stated that  Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already taken over the cases from  the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) to investigate all the exams conducted by the All Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) since 2014. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also started the investigation. Also, the Government, in consultation with the Gauhati High Court, has designated the District and Sessions Court, Yupia as the Special Fast-Track Court to trial the APPSC paper leakage cases.
On the demand for setting up of the Standing Grievance Redressal Committee, the state government claimed that it has requested the commission to set up the same and institutionalized mechanism to deal with the grievances of the aspirants.
A one-man inquiry commission headed by Mr. Justice P.K. Deka (retd) has been also constituted for inquiring into the allegations of leakages of question papers of recruitment examinations conducted by APPSC from 1.4.2014 to 31.08.2022.
On the Departmental Enquiry (DE) reports, the government stated that the action was initiated against all the arrested officials by respective Departments under Relevant Rules; 41 officials were found to be involved in the malpractices. Disciplinary cases were initiated against 22 regular employees. Services of 19 employees, who were yet to be confirmed in service, were terminated. Meanwhile, six people have approached the Courts in the matter.
Responding to the disclosure of the 3-member committee report, suspension of upcoming APPSC exams, endorsing the exam to UPSC, and declaring null and void those examinations wherein malpractices were found, the state government stated that the report is uploaded to the AR department website. While examinations that were scheduled to be conducted by the APPSC were canceled/postponed immediately after the paper leakage issue came to light.
The government also had requested UPSC to take up recruitment for various vacant posts of Group A & B as per the recruitment policy of the state, which was turned down.
Moreover, the state government issued a fresh advertisement inviting applications for the vacant post of Chairman and 3 Members of the Commission. The matter which is sub-judice in the Guwahati High Court, however, has accepted the plea to permit the state government to make selection for the vacant post of Chairman and a Member of the Commission.
The process will be completed soon and the outcome will be placed before the High Court in sealed cover.    
In response to the demand to declare null and void those examinations wherein malpractices were found, the matter was referred to the commission, which later acknowledged the reference. 
In regards to the inclusion of 2(two) members from the aspirants in preparation for the standard operating procedures (SOP) of APPSC, Government stated that  all stakeholders including aspirants may provide necessary inputs to APPSC, if not provided already.
Likewise,on demands for  the Whistleblower Act, the government clarified that a Committee consisting of Addl. Secy. Law, Jt. Secretary (Home) DS (Vig) was constituted. The Committee consulted the Government of India. It has been informed that the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 enacted by Parliament is not in force as yet as no notification appointing the date of coming into force of the Act has been issued by the Central Government. Therefore, the Rules could not be framed under the Act. 
On  Mudang Yabyang (PWD) deprived candidate, the government asserted that  the  APPSC was requested vide letter No.AR-23011/2/2023-SECT-1-AR/93 dated 22.02.2023 & subsequent letter No. AR/ 172/ 2022-US-1-AR, dated 02.06.2023 to look into her case.
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has created a common cadre of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat, in response to the demand to recall 3 officials posted under APPSC, stated a release. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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