Guwahati: The state government has suspended the secretary and joint secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) in relation to the case of the assistant engineer (civil) examination paper leak.
APPSC secretary Jayanta Kumar Ray, an IAS officer and joint secretary-cum-controller of examination Suraj Gurung, an Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service officer, have been put under suspension with immediate effect, as disciplinary proceedings are contemplated against them, an official order issued by chief secretary Dharmendra said.
The chief secretary issued two separate orders late on Wednesday night after getting approval from Governor Brig Dr B D Mishra (Retd). The development came after a meeting regarding reformation of the APPSC, held on Wednesday between Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU), PTI reported.
“The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, in exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-rule (i) of Rule-3 of the All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places both the officials under suspension with immediate effect,” the orders stated.
The directives continued, “It is further ordered that the headquarters of both officers shall be Itanagar during the duration of operation of this order and they shall not leave the headquarters without the prior consent of the undersigned.” The chief minister had promised the student bodies during the meeting that the Commissioner, Secretary, and commission members would be suspended following a cabinet meeting.
The chief minister had emphasised during the meeting that the Governor would make other significant decisions about the suspension of the Commissioner, Secretary, and members because the commission is an autonomous organisation.
Police have arrested 10 people thus far, including many government figures in connection with the case. The state government has already suggested that the case be investigated by the CBI. The scam was discovered after Gyamar Padung, a candidate, on August 29 this year submitted a complaint with the Itanagar Police Station saying that he feared the AE (Civil) examination paper had been leaked; the exam was held on August 26 and 27.
More than 400 candidates showed up for the test. Last Monday, the state police’s Special Investigating Cell (SIC) detained four people, including Loth Ezing, a civilian, and government employees Binam Jomang and Talung Jomang. Talung works as an agriculture field assistant in Pangin in Siang district while Binam works as a junior engineer (contractual) in the Panchayati Raj Department at Lekang at Namsai district. East Siang district’s Ruksin is home to Ezing.
The arrests were made following the case’s transfer from the Itanagar Police to the SIC on September 27. Six individuals were previously detained by the Itanagar Police in connection with the investigation. Taket Jerang, a teacher, a candidate and his father, a courier runner, and the deputy secretary and deputy controller of examinations for the APPSC were among those detained. Jerang has previously been asked to take mandatory retirement by the APPSC and is currently suspended.