CCE-2013: Panel reconstituted to study probe panel report

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government reconstituted a five-member committee to examine the report of Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission of Inquiry on malpractices in the conduct of CCE-2013 by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

After approval from the Chief Minister, the Political Department issued a notification in this regard. According to the notification, Chief Secretary Paban Kumar Barthakur will head the committee that has Additional Chief Secretary BR Samal, Principal Secretary Niraj Verma (member convener), DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and Additional Advocate General Nalin Kohli as members. Kohli will assist the committee on legal matters. The committee will have to submit its report to the Government within three months.

After Justice (Retd) Sharma submitted his report on CCE-13, the State Government constituted a five-member committee headed by the then Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua in May this year to examine it. The Government asked the committee to file the report within two months. However, the committee could not submit the report for various reasons. In the meantime, the then chairman of the committee superannuated on August 31, 2022, necessitating the reconstitution of the committee.

The Justice (Retd) Sharma commission had found anomalies in the appointment of 34 more ACS and allied service officers who the Dibrugarh Police had not indicted in its investigation. The additional findings of the report necessitated the Government to examine the inquiry report.

The new committee will examine the report and suggest action regarding: a) Whether the entire results of the 2013 civil services examination be set aside; b) In case, the above is recommended, whether the candidates would be entitled to notice and consequential hearings following the basic principles of natural justice; c) Given the differing nature of 'omissions' - ranging from an increase of marks, change of answer scripts to complete absence of answer scripts - which have come to light, would the action be uniform or graded, depending on the nature of irregularity; d) The Committee may also interact with other stakeholders, viz retired and serving civil servants, members of the civil society, etc.

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