MPSC protests: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis accepts key demands, orders paper rechecks and SIT investigation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured protesting Maharashtra Public Service Commission MPSC aspirants that the state government would address their grievances review examination papers and order an investigation into allegations of paper leaks and administrative irregularitiesThe assurances came after a nearly twohour meeting between Fadnavis and a delegation of protesting MPSC candidates who have been raising concerns over the commissions examination and recruitment processesFadnavis says students anger is justifiedAddressing the media after the meeting Fadnavis acknowledged the concerns raised by the candidates and said the current unrest reflected problems that had built up within the system over a period of timeThe students outburst is entirely justified Problems have accumulated over time because necessary corrective steps were not taken when they should have been CM Fadnavis statedHe said the situation should be used as an opportunity to make changes to the system and promised action against those found responsible if evidence established wrongdoingThis crisis now presents us with an opportunity to overhaul the entire system I assure you that action will be taken within the next eight days against anyone found guilty if evidence is provided he addedState Services Main exam answer sheets to be recheckedFadnavis said answer sheets from the State Services Main Examination 2025 would be rechecked He also announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team SIT to investigate allegations of paper leaks and administrative malpracticeInterviews that were scheduled to begin on September 21 have also been postponed to allow the review process to be completedUpcoming examinations are being postponed temporarily to guarantee a foolproof leakproof system Given the unprecedented scale of ongoing recruitment exams will resume only after full systemic readiness keeping transparency as the paramount standard he addedThe chief minister said the investigation into the alleged Drug Inspector examination paper leak was still underway He said the government would focus on addressing weaknesses in the examination system rather than suppressing complaintsCandidates will also be given access to their answer sheets under the Right to Information RTI Act with the government seeking to remove previous restrictions linked to proceedings before the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal MATCommittee to seek candidates views on reformsFadnavis said a highlevel committee headed by senior bureaucrat V Radha would collect representations from candidates and recommend structural reforms to the MPSC systemAccording to the chief minister members of the committee would travel across Maharashtra and interact with candidates parents educators and other stakeholders Candidates would be able to submit their concerns and suggestions as part of the exerciseThe committee will also frame standardised guidelines for interview panels the chief minister saidExaminations that are facing allegations or significant grievances will be reviewed while interviews for the posts concerned will remain suspended until the issues are clarifiedCrime Branch report earlier committee recommendations to be reviewedFadnavis said the preliminary investigation report prepared by the Crime Branch would be made available to the publicThe proposed SIT will review examinations conducted during the tenures of officials Lendwe Marathe and Nakhate The government will also examine the recommendations of the Rajurkar Committee and take appropriate measures based on its findingsChanges have also been proposed for physical tests conducted as part of recruitment Fadnavis said RFID tracking chips or suitable alternatives would be introduced during physical tests to improve monitoring A standardised scoring system would also be implemented across districts for police recruitmentThe chief minister said issues concerning state welfare coaching organisations SARTHI BARTI and Mahajyoti would also be addressedProbes ordered into PMC and MMRDA recruitment examsFadnavis further announced a detailed inquiry into recruitment examinations conducted for the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDAHe said strict action would follow if anyone was found guilty of wrongdoing An independent inquiry would also be ordered if evidence emerged against the MPSC chairman or secretarySevere action will be taken against anyone found guilty with zero tolerance for corruption the chief minister said adding that implementation of the announced decisions would begin within eight daysA dedicated grievance redressal cell headed by a retired judge will also be established within the MPSC to deal with complaints from studentsStudent representatives say demands acceptedRepresentatives of the protesting candidates said they were satisfied with the outcome of their meeting with the chief minister They said Fadnavis had accepted their primary demands including 12 foundational points and four additional demandsFadnavis reiterated the governments commitment to transparency in future MPSC recruitment examinations and said the state would work towards ensuring that upcoming examinations are conducted fairly and without paper leaksShrikant Shinde seeks administrative reformsMeanwhile MP Shrikant Shinde wrote to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde calling for deeper administrative reforms within the MPSC to restore candidates confidence in the commissionHe sought the appointment of a senior IAS officer as MPSC secretary and proposed an independent selection panel comprising retired judges and senior bureaucrats to appoint the commissions chairman and membersShinde said the selection process should prioritise candidates with a record of integrity and independence and remain free from political influenceWith inputs from IANS