Due to the leak of the assistant engineer (civil) test paper, the state government has suspended the secretary and joint secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). Arunachal Pradesh civil service officer Suraj Gurung and APPSC secretary Jayanta Kumar Ray, both IAS officers, have been placed on immediate leave as disciplinary action against them is being considered, according to a formal order issued by chief secretary Dharmendra.
After receiving the go-ahead from governor BD Mishra, the chief secretary issued two distinct orders late on Wednesday night. The move followed a meeting on Wednesday between chief minister Pema Khandu, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), and the All Nyishi Students’ Union over the reformation of the APPSC (ANSU). The orders stated that “both the officials are at this moment placed under suspension with immediate effect by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in the exercise of powers provided by clause (a) of sub-rule I of Rule-3 of the All India Service (Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1969.”
The directives continued, “It is further ordered that the headquarters of both officers shall be Itanagar during the 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 stated during the meeting that other significant decisions, such as the suspension of the Commissioner, Secretary, and members, will be made by the Governor because the commission is an autonomous body.
In connection with the case, police have detained 10 people thus far, including many government figures. The state government has already suggested that the CBI investigate the case. The scam was discovered after Gyamar Padung, a candidate, on August 29 this year submitted a complaint to 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.
Following the case’s transfer from Itanagar Police to the SIC on September 27, the arrests were made. 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.
