JPSC-JSSC Protest: Student delegation finalised as talks with Jharkhand Govt likely
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 7: The stalemate between the Jharkhand government and students protesting over alleged irregularities in the JPSC…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 7: The stalemate between the Jharkhand government and students protesting over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations appears to have eased, with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum announcing a final 10-member delegation for talks after the government insisted that only students would participate in the dialogue.
The breakthrough came after the government reportedly declined to accept the inclusion of former Advocate General Ajit Kumar and senior journalists Shambhunath Choudhary and Vikas Verma as observers in the proposed talks.
The student body had earlier nominated the three as observers while submitting the names of its representatives. However, the government maintained that the dialogue would be held exclusively with students and that no outsiders or political personalities would be part of the discussions. At that stage, the students had not yet received a formal invitation for the talks.
Students Accept Government’s Condition
On Friday, Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) visited the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and held discussions with the agitating students.
Following deliberations among themselves, the students agreed to the government’s condition that only students would participate in the dialogue, paving the way for formal discussions.
The SDO said the district administration was reviewing arrangements related to sanitation, lighting, shelter and other facilities at the protest site.
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Reforms Forum Announces Final Delegation
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum later released the final list of its 10-member delegation for the proposed talks with the government.
The delegation comprises Ravindra Paswan, Piyush Kumar, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Ankit Raj, Kartik Soren, Shalu Kumari, Ravindra Kumar Ravi, Anand Kumar and Ankit Kumar.
The forum clarified that this would be the final delegation to present the students’ demands before the government.
CM Reiterates Government’s Stand
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday said the government’s doors remain open for dialogue and that students have been provided a platform to place their concerns before the administration.
He invited students to offer suggestions for improving the recruitment process, saying the government is committed to undertaking major reforms in the interest of aspirants. A committee of ministers and senior officials has already been constituted to hold discussions with the protesting students.
Hunger-Striking Leader’s Health Worsens
Meanwhile, the health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, reportedly deteriorated on Friday.
Doctors advised his immediate hospitalisation after observing a continuous drop in his blood sugar level. However, Mahto refused to leave the protest site and vowed to continue his fast until the students’ demands are addressed.
The Health Department has stationed an ambulance at the protest venue to provide emergency medical assistance if required.
