Quantum jump in marks

Doley’s graft craft revealed

GUWAHATI, May 18: Fairness in the appointment of candidates for government posts in Assam, as being unfolded by forensic science laboratory tests and investigation reports, was at its lowest during the last Congress regime. The incidents of increase of marks of many candidates in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) interviews bear a startling testimony to that story of taint and disrepute.

It has come to light during investigation that former APSC member Dr Basanta Kumar Doley had increased the marks obtained by as many as 16 candidates for Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) posts from seven to 20. The marks obtained by 11 other candidates for ADO were increased by another member. Such revelations of manipulation of marks in the APSC have brought to light yet another scandal that has led the Guwahati Police to investigate the entire matter.

Talking to The Sentinel, Guwahati Police Commissioner Hiren Nath said: “This has been proved beyond doubt that interview marks were manipulated. We need to delve deep into the case. Grilling of more people is on the cards. The candidates who got jobs based on the manipulated interview marks will also be grilled in course of time.”

More arrests in the case are likely.

Meanwhile, Dr Doley, who was arrested in the city by the police on Thursday in a case (159/17) lodged by a deprived candidate in Bhangagarh police station, was produced before the Special Court on Friday. The court sent him to a 12-day police remand.

Former APSC chairman Rakesh Paul has been in jail in connection with this case (159/17). He got bail in the main case in the cash-for-job scam in the APSC that had been slapped against him. The complainant in this case had alleged that Rakesh Paul had demanded Rs 15 lakh for each post of ADO through brokers.

The written tests for the examination had been conducted in 2014 and the interviews were held in 2015. Forensic laboratory test reports revealed that all the 27 candidates had their marks enhanced in the answer scripts later, and the handwritings of the altered marks matched with that of former APSC members.

All the 27 ADOs, who got jobs through the backdoor, have been working in various parts in the State.