Babulal Marandi seeks Prashant Kumar’s removal from JSSC reform panel, demands independent probe
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 26: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, seeking the…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 26: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, seeking the immediate removal of JSSC Acting Chairman Prashant Kumar from the Examination Reform Committee and an independent probe into his role in the controversial JSSC-CGL examination.
Marandi questioned the government’s decision to include Kumar in the committee constituted to reform the state’s recruitment examination system, arguing that the move raises a potential conflict of interest.
He said the reform committee was established following serious irregularities in recruitment examinations and should comprise individuals whose independence and credibility are beyond question.
In his letter, Marandi pointed out that the JSSC-CGL examination held in September 2024 took place during Prashant Kumar’s tenure as JSSC Chairman.
The examination was subsequently cancelled following allegations of irregularities. Marandi also referred to the raid on the JSSC office and the questioning of the Commission’s Secretary during the subsequent investigation.
Against this backdrop, he questioned the decision to entrust Kumar with a role in a committee tasked with reforming the examination system.
According to Marandi, the official’s administrative role during the period under scrutiny should first be examined independently before he is assigned responsibility for recommending reforms.
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Seeks independent investigation into JSSC-CGL
Marandi demanded an investigation into the roles of Prashant Kumar and JSSC Secretary Sudhir Gupta in the JSSC-CGL examination.
He called for scrutiny of their roles in agency selection, question-paper security, conduct of the examination, result processing and administrative approvals associated with the recruitment test.
He also demanded that their respective tenures and administrative decisions be examined by an independent agency.
Raises questions over Prashant Kumar’s administrative record
The Opposition leader also referred to other matters relating to Prashant Kumar’s administrative tenure.
Marandi alleged that during Kumar’s tenure as Finance Secretary, the department failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding discrepancies involving thousands of crores of rupees in the state’s accounts.
He further referred to a Jharkhand High Court matter involving the Water Resources Department, claiming that the court had imposed a fine on Kumar over allegations of misleading the court and failure to comply with its orders.
Marandi said these issues made an independent assessment of Kumar’s role particularly important before assigning him a position on the examination reform panel.
Wants students and experts on reform committee
Marandi also called for the inclusion of student representatives in the Examination Reform Committee, along with impartial judicial, technical and academic experts.
He said involving students would help rebuild confidence among job aspirants who have been affected by controversies surrounding recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.
The Opposition leader argued that the committee should be seen as an independent mechanism for restoring transparency and credibility rather than as an administrative exercise.
Demands CBI probe into JPSC-JSSC irregularities
Marandi further demanded that investigations into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
He said an independent investigation was necessary to establish accountability and restore the confidence of students and recruitment aspirants in the state’s examination system.
‘Reform panel should cleanse the system’
Marandi said the Examination Reform Committee had been constituted to “cleanse the system” and should not include officials whose conduct, according to him, remains subject to questions requiring independent scrutiny.
He urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to withdraw the decision to include Prashant Kumar and reconstitute the panel with members known for their integrity, transparency and impartiality.
The letter was accompanied by a copy of the government notification constituting the Examination Reform Committee.
