- The JPSC-JSSC dispute continues as five hours of talks between the government and protesting students failed to produce an agreement. Students still demand a CBI probe and CGL cancellation.
Jharkhand News : The deadlock between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations continued on the 16th day of the agitation. A nearly five-hour marathon meeting at the State Guest House on Sunday failed to produce a final agreement, prompting the students to stick to their decision to gherao the Assembly on Monday.
Government ministers involved in the talks said around 98% of the protesters’ demands had been accepted, while differences remained on a few issues. The protesting students, however, said they would not back down from their demands for a CBI investigation and cancellation of the CGL examination.
Students Arriving in Ranchi from Across Jharkhand
Students and young people from different parts of the state have started arriving in Ranchi to participate in the Assembly gherao. Protesters claimed that more than one lakh youths would take to the streets on Monday.
Meanwhile, three JPSC members — Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmad — resigned from their respective posts on Sunday. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted their resignations.
The CID had summoned all three members for questioning as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Earlier, JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte had resigned on the day of the CID raids.
CID to Question Ajita Bhattacharya Today
The CID will question former JPSC member Dr Ajita Bhattacharya on Monday. She has been summoned in connection with alleged irregularities in the commission.
Former member Dr Anima Hansda will be questioned on Tuesday, followed by Dr Jamal Ahmad on Wednesday. The CID has already conducted several rounds of questioning with former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte.
Students Insist on CBI Investigation
After talks with the ministerial delegation, student representatives said the government had agreed to several of their demands.
The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and the 2023 and 2025 JPSC backlog examinations. It has also proposed an ED investigation into alleged financial transactions related to the examination controversy.
However, no agreement was reached on age-limit relaxation in upcoming examinations, cancellation of the CGL examination or a CBI probe into the entire matter.
The government said the CID investigation is already underway and would be completed within 90 days. It has also proposed a fast-track court for speedy trial and an inquiry by a committee headed by a retired judge.
The students have rejected these options and continue to demand a CBI investigation.
Five-Hour Talks Between Ministers and Students
For the third consecutive day, ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Yadav and Chamra Linda held talks with representatives of the protesting student groups on Sunday.
The meeting lasted from 12:30 PM to 5:45 PM. At several points, the talks appeared close to breaking down.
Representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum, JPSC-JSSC Candidates Justice Forum and AISA participated in the discussions.
After the meeting, Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government believes that financial transactions took place in the matter and will therefore request an ED investigation. He also said a fast-track court would be established for speedy disposal of the case.
He added that an SOP would be prepared with the help of experts from IIT, ISM, IIM Ranchi and XISS to make future examinations more transparent and efficient.
Government and Students Differ Over CGL Cancellation
Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the CGL examination was conducted under the directions of the High Court and Supreme Court, and therefore it cannot be cancelled. He pointed out that several candidates had already secured jobs through the examination.
The government is willing to constitute a committee headed by a retired judge to investigate the CGL matter. Students, however, are demanding both cancellation of the CGL examination and a CBI probe.
Minister Deepika Speaks to Devendra Mahato via Video Call
During the talks, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh spoke to protesting leader Devendra Nath Mahato through a video call and appealed to him to end his hunger strike.
Mahato had not attended the talks and urged the ministers to wait for the outcome of the negotiations.
Assurances Given by the Government
The major assurances given by the government include:
- Cancellation of the JPSC backlog examinations of 2023 and 2025 and the 14th JPSC PT.
- CID investigation into all examinations conducted by the TDPL agency.
- CID investigation into criminal aspects of the cases and an ED probe into financial aspects.
- Assistance from IIM Ranchi, IIT ISM and XISS to reform the functioning of JPSC and JSSC.
- A committee headed by a retired judge to investigate the CGL matter.
- Formation of a fast-track court for speedy disposal of the cases.
- Provision for economic and judicial investigation reports to be submitted to the government within 90 days.
The biggest deadlock between the government and the protesting students remains over the CBI investigation and cancellation of the CGL examination. Students are also demanding cancellation of all examinations conducted through the TDPL agency. All eyes are now on Monday’s proposed Assembly gherao.
