Ranchi: Efforts by the Jharkhand government to resolve the ongoing agitation over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations failed to produce a breakthrough on Saturday, with protesting candidates deciding to continue their movement until their key demands are addressed.
A government-appointed five-member panel, including three ministers, held separate discussions with several student and aspirant groups during the day. The meetings came as the agitation entered its 15th day.
Government holds talks with multiple groups
The panel first met representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Candidates’ Forum, led by JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, whose hunger strike has now entered its seventh day.
The government representatives subsequently held discussions with delegations from the Congress-backed NSUI, ACS and Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM).
The latest talks followed a meeting held by the government on Friday night with a 10-member delegation of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch.
State minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav, who is part of the government panel, said the concerns raised by the protesting aspirants were genuine and would be placed before Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Protesters refuse to call off agitation
Despite the government’s assurances, the protesting candidates maintained that their agitation would continue.
A representative of Mahto’s group said the government had assured them that action would be taken on their concerns, but the protesters would not withdraw their movement unless their demands, including cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination, were accepted.
Mahto said the protesters had already been demonstrating peacefully for more than two weeks and urged the state government to take an immediate decision.
He also criticised what he described as delays in addressing the students’ concerns.
Health concerns over Mahto’s hunger strike
Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for seven days, said his health had deteriorated during the protest.
He claimed that his blood pressure and sugar levels had fallen and that doctors had detected a chest infection and advised hospitalisation. He said his ability to speak and think had slowed due to his worsening condition.
The health concerns have added urgency to the ongoing negotiations between the government and the protesting groups.
Student organisations put forward separate demands
The Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha, the student wing of the ruling JMM, submitted a five-point set of demands to the government panel. Among them was a call for cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination.
The NSUI, meanwhile, presented six demands, including a CID investigation into JPSC and JSSC examinations facing allegations of irregularities within 90 days.
The organisation also sought the creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency (JTA) on the lines of the National Testing Agency.
Government seeks suggestions on recruitment reforms
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government has created an email address to collect suggestions from aspirants regarding reforms in the recruitment examination system.
The government panel said the discussions were conducted in a positive atmosphere.
Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the discrepancies and recruitment-related concerns highlighted by the students would be examined and addressed.
Protesters demand independent investigation
At the centre of the agitation is the demand for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The protesters have sought either a CBI probe or an inquiry by a panel comprising retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
The controversy has already led to arrests. According to the information provided by authorities, 19 people have been arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.
Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has also been questioned four times since July 28 as part of the investigation.
With the latest round of talks failing to persuade the protesting aspirants to withdraw their agitation, the government now faces the challenge of finding a resolution before the prolonged protest escalates further.
