Rio ready to let CBI probe NPSC scam

The Vigilance Commission detected many irregularities in selection and appointments of candidates who appeared for state civil services and allied services examinations during the past couple of years and arrested eight persons, including a deputy secretary, last month for their alleged involvement in the scam.

But Opposition Congress and students’ outfits alleged that the government was not giving a free hand to the Vigilance Commission.

Meanwhile, as inter-state bus services between Manipur and neighbouring states resumed after a nine-day blockade, Rio assured Manipur of providing escorts for Imphal-bound vehicles on the NH-39 inside the state. He, however, added: ‘‘We cannot mobilise sufficient forces at the eleventh hour…to escort goods-laden trucks because we have limited forces after withdrawal of the India Reserve Battalion from the state to Chhattisgarh. Moreover, we have to deploy additional forces at troubled Tobu and Noklak in the border areas,’’ Rio said.