Jharkhand to cancel JPSC exam, but students dig in over demand for CBI probe

Protesting students in Jharkhand have decided to continue their agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations despite the state government agreeing to cancel the 14th JPSC examination, with demonstrators insisting that their key demand for a CBI investigation remains unresolved. Student leaders said they would go ahead with their planned march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 and maintained that they were “not ready for compromise” unless the government ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.

Government says 98% demands accepted

Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government had held three days of discussions with representatives of the protesting aspirants before taking decisions on their demands. According to the minister, the government has agreed to around 98 per cent of the issues raised by the students. The remaining disagreement concerns demands including a CBI probe and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination. The government maintained that it could not unilaterally cancel the CGL examination because it was conducted in accordance with directions of the High Court and Supreme Court, its results had already been declared and successful candidates had joined service.

CID, ED probes proposed

The state government has proposed a two-pronged investigation into the alleged irregularities. Sonu said criminal aspects would be investigated by the CID, while the Enforcement Directorate would be approached in view of alleged financial transactions connected with the matter. The government also offered to constitute a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge to oversee the investigation. The protesting students, however, rejected the proposal and continued to press for a CBI investigation.

Fast-track courts planned

Sonu said fast-track courts would be constituted and charge sheets against those accused of wrongdoing would be filed within 90 days. The government has also proposed setting up an expert committee comprising representatives from IIT-ISM, IIM Ranchi and XLRI to recommend structural reforms in Jharkhand's recruitment examination system. The reforms are aimed at addressing wider concerns surrounding the functioning of recruitment agencies following allegations of irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC-CGL and other examinations.

Students refuse to end agitation

Despite the concessions, student representatives said the agitation would continue because they consider an independent investigation essential to uncover the full extent of the alleged irregularities. The protesters have been demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, and an investigation by the CBI or an independent panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand. Several protesters have also been on hunger strike as part of the agitation, which has been continuing in Ranchi since late July.

Assembly march on August 10

Student leaders said their planned march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday would proceed despite the latest round of negotiations with the government. The decision keeps pressure on the Hemant Soren government as the recruitment examination controversy spills into the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Assembly. The BJP-led opposition has also demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged examination irregularities.

Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government was committed to resolving the students’ concerns through dialogue and transparency and warned political parties against politicising the agitation. He stressed that dialogue rather than force should be used to address the protesters’ grievances.