NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (in white), govt representative PWD minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale (in green) and Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress (in black) address MPSC aspirants protesting at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune on Sunday night (Oct 11)
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (in white), govt representative PWD minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale (with mic) and Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress (in black) address MPSC aspirants protesting at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune on Sunday night (Oct 11) NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (in white), govt representative PWD minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale (in green) and Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress (in black) address MPSC aspirants protesting at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune on Sunday night (Oct 11) NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (in white), govt representative PWD minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale (with mic) and Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress (in black) address MPSC aspirants protesting at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune on Sunday night (Oct 11) NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (in white), govt representative PWD minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale (in green) and Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress (in black) address MPSC aspirants protesting at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune on Sunday night (Oct 11) Pune: Following a brief standoff between protesting Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants and govt representation sent to address them, it was declared in the early hours of Monday that commission chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar will be sent on compulsory leave till an inquiry committee constituted by govt submits its report. The resignation of Bhimanwar had been among prime demands put forth by the aspirants during their 11-day protest. Following the announcement by state public works minister and govt representative Shivendra Raje Bhosale, MPSC protesters agreed to withdraw agitation at 1.25am amid loud cheers. Govt has also agreed to withdraw cases registered against protesters and double the number of Group C posts to be filled through the 2027 examination, according to a draft of decisions handed over to protesters.
Therefore, I have decided to proceed on leave and not continue in office until the inquiry is completed. Around the same time, Bhimanwar posted on X, “State govt has announced a judicial inquiry into the MPSC paper leak case. Bhosale announced the decisions at the protest site after nearly two hours of discussions with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar , who has been leading the stir, and other representatives of the aspirants. An hour down the line, when the decision to send Bhimanwar on leave till the inquiry’s report is submitted was announced, the aspirants’ acquiesced and agreed to withdraw their protest. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news.
The committee will function under a retired judge as chairperson,” Bhosale said. I have always given priority to ethics throughout my life. The autonomy and credibility of the MPSC, as well as the interests of students, have always been my priorities and will continue to remain so. Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra! Also present at the site was Congress politician Vishwajeet Kadam, who has been backing the agitating aspirants. “The inquiry commission is being constituted under the law. As demanded by the students, IAS officer Mundhe will serve as its secretary. Mundhe has been in the news in recent months after taking charge as commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a slew of crackdowns on establishments related to hygiene, licences, adulteration and more. However, as of half past midnight, protesters refused to suspend the agitation or move from the site, saying their main demand of Bhimanwar’s resignation was still in limbo. Download the TOI App.
Among other decisions relayed to aspirants late on Sunday evening, govt has agreed to appoint IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary of a two-month inquiry committee to investigate alleged paper leaks in MPSC examinations.
The panel will be given 60 days to submit its report. Earlier reporting noted: MPSC aspirants end agitation; chairman Bhimanwar proceeds on leave Pune, MPSC aspirants late Sunday night ended their 10-day agitation after the Maharashtra government formed a committee, with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary, to probe alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the recruitment body. Earlier reporting noted: Subsequently, Maharashtra Public Service Commission Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced that he had proceeded on leave till the inquiry was completed.
The chief minister has constituted a committee of officers capable of bringing about fundamental administrative changes to MPSC,” Bhosale said. The five-member committee will include retired judge Dilip Bhosale, administrative officers Mundhe, BD Naik and Ganesh Patil, and police officer Lakhmi Gautam. It will investigate alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the commission, including paper leaks. “The draft outlines govt’s position on the other demands as well.
Earlier reporting noted: A state government delegation led by minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale met the agitating aspirants and informed them that most of their demands, including the formation of an inquiry committee with officers such as Mundhe, had been accepted.
Govt has also committed to filling 70,000 vacant posts over the next three years. The number of posts to be filled through the 2027 Group C examination will be doubled, according to the draft. This is a win-win situation for all, and therefore, the protesters should agree to withdraw their agitation.
Govt has agreed to most of the demands, which have been given in writing and signed by the Maharashtra chief secretary. ”
On this topic, Pawar even said, “Till the scrutiny inquiry is completed, if Bhimanwar is not involved in the process, there should be no problem. Cases registered against protesters during the agitation will also be withdrawn, it stated. The aspirants have been demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities, changes in the commission’s functioning and a transparent recruitment process. They have also sought action against officials responsible for the alleged paper leaks. Initially in the evening, govt remained non-committal on Bhimanwar’s removal. The process to remove Bhimanwar will continue.