MPSC paper leak : Maharashtra sends chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave

MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar (Pic/X@@bhimanwar)

The Maharashtra government has sent Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until the completion of the inquiry into the alleged paper leak case. This comes after an 11-day-long protest by aspirants in Pune, demanding his resignation.

As per ANI, the decision of sending Bhimanwar on a compulsory leave marks a significant development in the agitation led by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar at the S M Joshi Bridge in Pune.

The protesting students have provisionally decided to suspend their agitation following the government’s decision.

State Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale met the protesting aspirants and announced that cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn.

The Maharashtra minister also assured them that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the MPSC paper leak case.

Speaking to the media after his meeting with MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) aspirants, Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhonsle said, “A positive stance regarding the MPSC has been established; the committee simply needed to make some technical adjustments. We have prepared those changes, and that is what is being submitted now,” as per ANI.

Responding to the decision taken by the government, MPSC Chairman Bhimanwar on social media handle X wrote, “The state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the MPSC paper leak case. Throughout my entire life, I have always prioritised ethics. Therefore, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post until this inquiry is completed.”

He added, “The autonomy, credibility, and interests of students of the MPSC have always been my priority, and they will continue to be so in the future,” as per ANI.

Following the agitation, the government has also appointed senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary of the committee constituted to inquire into the MPSC-related matter.

Although the students had primarily demanded Bhimanwar’s resignation, the government’s decision to keep him away from office until the inquiry is completed has led to a temporary suspension of the agitation.

The demand for his resignation had remained a key point of contention during the discussions.

MPSC had initiated a preliminary inquiry following complaints regarding alleged malpractice in the screening examination held on March 22.

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