MPSC Aspirants End Protest After Inquiry Announced

Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants ended their Pune protest after the state government announced an inquiry into alleged irregularities, including examination paper leaks, and chairman Vivek Bhimanwar went on leave pending the probe. The protest at S M Joshi Bridge ended late Sunday, October 11, after a meeting between protesters and a government delegation led by state minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale. Aspirants had sought Bhimanwar’s removal and reforms to the commission’s recruitment process. The government agreed to keep him away from his post while the inquiry is underway. The committee will examine the MPSC’s functioning, investigate allegations of question-paper leaks and other irregularities, and recommend improvements. Former Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale will chair it, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary. The committee is expected to submit its report within two months, according to reports of the government’s announcement. The allegations have not been established by the inquiry.