ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, May 2:  The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declined the proposal of the state government to conduct the APPSC examination till the formation of a new Chairman and members of the commission, informed Secretary Administrative Reforms Ajay Chagti on Tuesday.
Addressing media persons at the Civil Secretariat today, Secretary AR  informed that the State Government requested the UPSC under Article 315 (4) of the Constitution for conducting the exams as per the recruitment-related policy of the State for the vacant Group A & B posts till the APPSC is constituted and made functional. However, the UPSC has vide letter dated 24th April has declined to conduct the exams. Accordingly, an advertisement has been released on 29th April by the State Government for the appointment of a Chairman and three members of the AP Public Service Commission.
Moreover, the Government has also set up a two-member Committee for suggesting model Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Public Service Commission. The report was shared with the Commission.
Speaking  on the ongoing investigation, Secretary AR stated that the 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. While confirming about the decision taken to request ED (Enforcement Directorate) to inquire into the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, he informed that the ED has started its investigation.
However, when asked about how many people and officials  had been questioned by the ED or about any finding of ED from raids conducted so far, Chagti categorically said that as of today there is no concrete information about the details from the ED.
Earlier, he also informed that at least  41 government officials are found involved in the malpractices and services of 19 employees who were yet to be confirmed in service were terminated. Disciplinary cases were initiated against 22 regular employees as well as the inquiry has been completed in 8 cases.
The Secretary also asserted that, Vigilance Department has been asked to frame rules under Section 26 of the Whistleblower Act and the government has already set up a three Member Committee vide order dated 6th Mar 2023 for framing the rules.
The possibility of the integrity of employees who were permanently working within the Commission and handling sensitive tasks getting compromised was very high. The Commission was earlier constrained to continue with employees who may have come under the cloud. Therefore, the cadres in APPSC have been merged with the common cadres of the Government/Secretariat to facilitate the transfer of individuals with doubtful integrity from the Commission.
A Draft Bill for framing of “The Arunachal Pradesh Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act” has been uploaded on the website for inviting comments. The Bill contemplates stringent provisions for unfair means in such exams, added Secretary while inviting stakeholders to share needful inputs to strengthen the Bill.
Meanwhile, when asked about the police claim of vouchers /cash memos amounting to Rs. 13 lakh not submitted by late Tumi Gangkak,  Under Secretary APPSC, Chagti while terming the death of Gangkak as very unfortunate, added that APPSC is a constitutional body and he can’t say much on the incident and will submit the queries in written to the commission.

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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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