Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary Affirms BPSC's Independence for Candidates' Benefit
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Patna, Dec 31 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary spoke about the ongoing protests related to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and reaffirmed that the commission functions as an autonomous entity. He promised that BPSC would prioritize the welfare of the candidates.
During a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his official residence on Tuesday, Choudhary addressed the unrest, focusing on the incidents of lathi charges and the agitation by the protesting candidates. This meeting came after Kumar's return from Delhi on Monday night, indicating a swift response to the BPSC situation.
Choudhary emphasized BPSC's autonomy by stating, “Unlike other states, the Public Service Commission in Bihar is an independent body. It functions autonomously and will make decisions that best serve the students. The government has empowered BPSC to act in favor of the students.”
Sitamarhi MP Devesh Chandra Thakur also expressed optimism, noting that the state government is aware of the situation and is actively seeking a resolution. He mentioned that Bihar's Chief Secretary, Amrit Lal Meena, has been directly engaging with the protesting students.
Despite these reassurances, the candidates remain resolute in their demand for a re-examination of the 70th Combined Preliminary Examination. Protests at Gardanibagh are ongoing, with aspirants waiting for a clear response from both BPSC and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
On Monday, two groups of candidates conveyed their concerns to Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena. One group was led by Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor, while the other was headed by Purnea MP Rajeh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav. Both factions called for a re-examination, emphasizing widespread doubts regarding the integrity of the examination.
The controversy began on December 13, when candidates at the Bapu Examination Centre in Kumhrar, Patna, boycotted the Preliminary Test due to delays in receiving question papers. Allegations of malpractice arose as videos surfaced displaying the use of mobile phones and insufficient security at the center.
In reaction, BPSC canceled the examination at the Bapu Centre and rescheduled it for December 4. However, students demanded the cancellation of exams across all centers, citing systemic irregularities.
The situation intensified on Sunday when Patna police used lathi charges and water cannons to disperse candidates marching towards the Chief Minister's residence under the leadership of Prashant Kishor. Several students were injured during the confrontations.
As the protests continue, it is now up to BPSC and the state government to resolve the students' issues and ensure fairness in the examination process.
