Babulal Marandi meets protesting students, demands CBI probe into JPSC-JSSC scam
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 5: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Wednesday met students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 5: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Wednesday met students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over alleged irregularities in recruitment conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). After interacting with the students for over 15 minutes, Marandi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the entire recruitment process and said the BJP would raise the issue forcefully in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.
Marandi, accompanied by BJP MLAs, said the students were seeking cancellation of the allegedly tainted examinations and a comprehensive CBI investigation. He described their demands as “completely justified” and assured them of the BJP’s support both on the streets and inside the Assembly.
‘Issue Is Not Just Paper Leaks, but Sale of Jobs’
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Marandi alleged that the controversy in Jharkhand extends far beyond paper leaks and involves the “sale of jobs” through the JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes.
He claimed that irregularities had surfaced not only in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination but also in the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and the Excise Constable recruitment process.
Marandi further alleged that, in the Excise Constable recruitment, certain candidates from Tamar were coached to memorise answers before the examination. Referring to an earlier JSSC recruitment process, he claimed that candidates who had allegedly paid bribes were made to memorise answers to 120 questions at locations in Bihar, Nepal and Ranchi, and that the same questions later appeared in the examination.
Questions Raised Over JPSC Recruitment Process
The BJP leader also alleged irregularities in the declaration of JPSC examination results. According to him, the commission initially did not publish the cut-off marks and declared the results in phases.
He claimed that it was only after intervention by the Jharkhand High Court and the subsequent publication of the cut-off marks that it emerged that some non-selected candidates had scored higher marks than selected candidates.
Based on these allegations, Marandi asserted that recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC over the past six years warranted a CBI investigation.
‘Students’ Future and Jharkhand’s Future at Stake’
Marandi said protecting the future of students was essential for safeguarding the future of Jharkhand.
He alleged that if individuals secured government jobs through bribery or unfair means, it would institutionalise corruption within the state’s administration for decades.
“Those who purchase jobs today will become officers tomorrow and continue to promote corruption. This trend must be stopped to protect the future of Jharkhand,” he said.
BJP Demands Removal of JPSC, JSSC Officials
The Leader of the Opposition demanded the immediate removal of the chairpersons, examination controllers and secretaries of the JPSC and JSSC, followed by a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.
He also sought registration of FIRs against those found guilty and their immediate arrest.
Marandi criticised the state government for what he described as its insensitive response to the students’ agitation, alleging that despite the ongoing protests during the monsoon season, the government had failed to address their concerns and instead subjected them to unnecessary harassment.
BJP, AJSU Leaders Present
Several BJP legislators and senior leaders accompanied Marandi during the visit, including C.P. Singh, Naveen Jaiswal, Manoj Yadav, Nagendra Mahto, Dr. Neera Yadav, Alok Chaurasia, Devendra Kunwar, Amit Yadav, Shatrughan Mahto, Ujjwal Das, Manju Kumari, Pradeep Prasad and Purnima Sahu. AJSU MLA Nirmal Mahto, BJP State Vice President Bhanu Pratap Shahi, State General Secretary Amar Kumar Bauri, Ranchi Metropolitan President Varun Sahu and other party leaders were also present.
