Stung by SI job scam, Assam Govt says no to private agencies in govt hiring

Guwahati: In a major decision taken by the Assam Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, the government has decided not to engage any private agencies in any government recruitment process. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal decided that all government departments would hold the exams or conduct recruitment through State or Central Universities.

The decision comes in the backdrop of the recent job scam in Assam Police that has left the government facing a lot of flak from the Opposition and resulted in a loss of face ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections next year.

Much to the relief of the government, Assam Police with help from the West Bengal Police managed to arrest the kingpin in the Sub Inspector exam paper leak and recruitment scam P K Dutta from Nepal. Dutta is a former Deputy Inspector General of Assam Police.

Dutta was brought to Assam today morning and the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court of Kamrup Metro has remanded him to six days CID custody.

The scam is being investigated by CID.

Dutta was absconding since the scam came to light after the question paper for the exams held on September 20 was leaked, allegedly from his phone and the exam had to be canceled. The exam was being held to fill 597 vacancies in Assam Police for the post of Sub Inspector and 66,000 candidates sat for the exams.

Assam Police had earlier arrested the other prime accused in the case, Diban Deka a former BJP leader. Assam Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs one lakh for anyone giving information about Dutta and Deka as both were on the run.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had promptly asked CID to investigate the case.

A case of holding assets disproportionate to his income would also be filed against Dutta as police found several flats, hotels, tea gardens, rubber plantation, and several bighas of land under his name.

After the scam came to light, State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) Chairman Pradeep Kumar resigned and Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta was made the Chairman.

The SI exams would now be held on November 22, the SLPRB said in a statement issued earlier.

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