Arunachal Pradesh cabinet on October 27 recommended to invoke the provisions of Article 317 for the removal and suspension of the members of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), in a bid to overhaul the apex recruiting agency of the state government.
Soon after the cabinet meeting, chief minister Pema Khandu handed over the cabinet’s recommendation to governor BD Mishra.
The ‘development’ came in the wake of recent paper leak episode involving the APPSC that came into the limelight last month and also at a time when the officials of the premier investigation agency, CBI, were camping in Itanagar.
Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter, chief minister Khandu wrote: “Handed over the recommendation of cabinet to Hon Governor Brig(Dr) BD Mishra Ji (Retd) to invoke provisions of Article 317 to remove members of APPSC. We’re determined to take the process of cleansing of APPSC to its logical conclusion in larger interests of our youths and state.”
The chief minister said that the government, from day one, has made its intentions very clear for overhauling the state public service commission.
“We are firm to retain and restore the sanctity of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). The cabinet has today recommended to initiate the provisions of Article 317 for removal and suspension of four members of APPSC. The state government, from day one, has made its intentions very clear for overhauling the entire APPSC,” Khandu tweeted.
The chief minister said, following the state government’s recommendation, the CBI has already reached Itanagar and has registered an FIR. It is now in the process of taking up the case soon for investigation.
Bowing to the mounting pressure from different quarters, APPSC chairman Nipo Nabam on October 14 tendered his resignation “on moral ground” and submitted his papers to the governor.
Handed over the recommendation of Cabinet to Hon Governor Brig(Dr) BD Mishra Ji (Retd) to invoke provisions of Article 317 to remove Members of APPSC. We're determined to take the process of cleansing of APPSC to its logical conclusion in larger interests of our youths and state. pic.twitter.com/joYRq7auN8
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) October 27, 2022
Nabam quit the top post days after the Arunachal Pradesh government suspended two senior officers of the APPSC including its secretary Jayanta Kumar Ray and joint secretary/controller of examination Suraj Gurung in connection with the AE (Civil) examination paper leak fiasco.
The recruitment examination (mains) was conducted by the APPSC on August 27 and 28 last for filling up of 33 assistant engineer (civil) posts.
The case is currently being investigated by the special investigation cell of Arunachal Pradesh Police. So far, 10 persons including the APPSC deputy secretary/deputy controller of examinations Taket Jerang have been arrested.
The investigation began after an aggrieved candidate filed a police complaint on August 29, alleging that the AE (Civil) exam paper had been leaked.
