Probe, RTI pleas irk civil services panel

The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission has demanded that future examination process be suspended till inquiries into irregularities in the examination process and information tendering under the Right To Information Act are cleared.

The Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission has demanded that future examination process be suspended till inquiries into irregularities in the examination process and information tendering under the Right To Information Act are cleared.

In a letter to Chhattisgarh Governor Lieutenant General Retd K M Seth, state PSC chairman Khelan Ram Jangde has asked for gubernatorial intervention to save the credibility of the institution. Chhattisgarh PSC, which conducts examinations and recruits personnel under various subordinate services in the state, is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Economic Offences Wing and various other agencies for alleged malpractices during the examination and selection process. Several petitions, seeking redressal on the functioning of the PSC, are also pending in the Chhattisgarh High Court.

In the letter to the Governor, PSC chairman Khelan Ram Jangde, members Amol Singh Salam and Radheshyam Devangan have expressed their pain at the attitude of the investigating agencies, which have deputed junior officials for the case.

Speaking to The Indian Express, PSC chairman Khelan Ram Jangde stated that he believed that the examination and recruitment process should be deferred until the investigations are complete. 8220;My officials and workers are being harassed by police officials and their morale is down. I would demand the Governor8217;s intervention and ask him to save the institution8217;s character from being damaged permanently,8221; Jangde said.

8220;With so many investigations on into the functioning of the PSC, the credibility of the commission has taken a beating. Even students who are being selected through our examinations are facing a problem as even their selection is being questioned,8221; Jangde added.

The commission has also stated its reservation in settling the numerous applications pending under the RTI Act. 8220;Though we are presently tendering information being sought under the Act, the commission can8217;t be expected to work like this. We can8217;t be expected to give information related to the examination process,8221; Jangde added.

Meanwhile, sources at Raj Bhawan said, 8220;Being a patron of the PSC, the Governor has stated that he would ask for the government8217;s advise on resolving the matter soon.8221;