ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Feb 18: After more than 40 hours of a bandh implemented by the 'public'  in the state capital Itanagar over the APPSC paper leak scam, the logjam was cleared late night after fruitful talks between the bandh organisers and concerned members with the state government.
For the aspirants of the state civil services under the Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) today's development comes as a huge victory after a six-month long struggle seeking justice and reformation after the question paper leak scam involving the state's highest recruiting body-- Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission rocked the frontier state.
After a nearly 7-hour long marathon meeting upon the invitation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu with members of the PAJSC and other representatives, the 13-point charter of demands made by the aspirants were accepted.
The State Government said it has given a blanket approval to investigate all the past exams conducted from 2014 to 2022 to SIC. Based on the popular demands of the aspirants this case including the AE(Civil) paper leakage case were handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CB1). Out of the 2 cases handed over to CBI, the case relating to FIR No. 12/2022 pertains to all exams conducted from 2014 to 2022. As such Chairman, Secretary, Members officials of APPSC and any other official/private person are already under the purview of investigation. Based on the findings of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken by the Investigating agencies. The investigation in this matter is now with Central Investigating Agency i.e. CBI as per the demand made by the aspirants/aspirant associations and student Unions. The State Government has no jurisdiction in the matter now, a statement from the government read.
On the demand for immediate constitution of Fast Track Court for prosecution of the accused involved in the APPSC Paper Leakage scam, the state government said it had written to the Gauhati High Court to designate District and Sessions Court Yupia (or any other District and Sessions Court) as a Special Fast-Track Court to take up the APPSC paper leakage cases. 
The Hon'ble Gauhati High Court has agreed to designate District and Sessions Court Yupia as a Special Fast-Track Court to take up the APPSC paper leakage cases.
On  immediate establishment of State Administrative Tribunal, the State has agreed to recommend setting up of a Standing Grievance Redressal Committee and institutional mechanism to deal with the grievances of the candidates/aspirants.
On immediate endorsement of ED (Enforcement Directorate) and Court monitored probe and also immediate seizure of assets/properties (movable and immovable) of all the accused and the incumbents of APPSC along with their kiths and kins, the government said it will request the Centre for a High Level Enquiry Committee headed by a Retd SC or HC Judge for examinations wherever paper leakage took place from 2014-2022 within this month. On the request of the aspirants, State Govt will formally write to ED to investigate incumbents in the APPSC from 2014-2022 within this month.
On demand for immediate disclosure of the Status of various Departmental Enquiry (DE) Reports initiated so far against the various suspended or arrested officials and subsequent dismissal/termination thereof, the government said during the course of investigation, 41 Government Employees were arrested. Further, on the request of the aspirants, actions for termination of Taket Jerang will be initiated immediately.
On the demand for  immediate disclosure of 3 Members committee Report, the government said the entire report was placed in the public domain and copies handed over to the aspirants also.
On the request of the aspirants, State Govt will take up with UPSC to conduct the pending exams within one month.
The State Government on the request for declaring the exams null and void where issues and malpractices like paper leakage etc have come to notice, said  it is being sent to APPSC which is the competent authority to decide this.
Cabinet vide its decision dated 21.12.2022 asked Vigilance Department to frame rules under Section 26 of the Whistle Blower Act. Gyamar Padang will be recognised appropriately for his contribution. The State Government aslo asked the APPSC to re-examine the case of Miss Mudang Yabyang ( PWD deprived candidate) and reconsider the matter. Streamlining of selection criteria for (Persons with Disabilities) candidates will be taken up immediately. Aspirants will give inputs for the same.
Furthermore, all injured in the protest on Friday will be compensated as per norms after seeking report from the DC.
Following the meeting, the delegation agreed to withdraw the Bandh call and assured to disperse the crowd.

---

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

<< Back to News List