Uproar in Chhattisgarh assembly over RI exam anomalies; Congress demands CBI probe, walks out
RAIPUR: Raipur: Opposition Congress staged a walkout in the
Chhattisgarh Assembly
on the first day of monsoon session on Monday, over alleged irregularities in the RI examination and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
Replying to the question raised during the Question Hour, revenue minister Tankram Verma admitted anomalies and informed that the case is with EOW, assuring strict action against the guilty before the next session.
The Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly began with uproar during the Question Hour over alleged irregularities in the departmental examination for Revenue Inspectors (RI). BJP MLA Rajesh Munat raised the issue, claiming it occurred under the previous Congress government, while the Opposition countered that the exam took place under the current BJP administration in January 2024.
Congress MLA and former chief minister
Bhupesh Baghel
demanded a CBI probe. Revenue Minister Tankram Verma acknowledged the irregularities and said a five-member committee had confirmed it. He informed that the case has been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for a detailed probe and promised action before the next Assembly session. Heated exchanges between ruling and opposition members over responsibility and delay in action led to a walkout by Opposition MLAs.
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Further, BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar questioned the decision to transfer the probe to the EOW, to which Verma replied that the department itself referred the matter.
Earlier, BJP MLA Munat raised the issue, asking the Minister about the status of the Home Department's inquiry, when action would be taken against the culprits, and the total number of candidates who appeared for the examination.
The Revenue Minister stated that the recruitment would provide necessary staff to the Revenue Department, streamlining its operations.
He mentioned that the examination process began in September-October, 2024 during the previous government's tenure. However, complaints surfaced after the results were declared in February 2024 . A five-member team investigated the matter and found irregularities.
The Minister informed the Assembly that even siblings were found seated together in the examination. The General Administration Department had written to the Home Department for an inquiry, which in turn responded that the concerned department was competent to handle the matter.
The case has now been handed over to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) as part of govt's stand on 'zero' tolerance policy on corruption, and an investigation has commenced.
Verma affirmed that no one would be spared, and action would be taken against those found guilty, similar to the ongoing inquiry into irregularities in the Bharatmala project.
Munat highlighted that the examination was conducted barely a week after the Minister took charge of the department.
He questioned why no action was taken despite the investigation by a team of five senior officers confirming irregularities. Verma responded that the inquiry committee concluded that the presented documents did not fall under the category of evidence and the EOW is currently investigating.
Munat then accused the Minister of selectively reading the report and offered to table it in the Assembly, alleging that these were all scams from the previous government, including the Public Service Commission.
Verma reiterated that stringent action would be taken against anyone found guilty. Munat pressed further, asking if action would be completed before the next session, to which Verma replied that efforts would be made to complete the inquiry and take action before the next session.
BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar questioned who decided to hand over the inquiry to the EOW. Tankram Verma clarified that the department itself referred the matter to the EOW for investigation.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inquired whether the examination took place before or after the current government came to power. Verma confirmed that the examination was held in January 2024 and the results were declared in February. This response led to a strong protest in the Assembly, with opposition MLAs accusing the BJP government of irregularities.
Baghel alleged attempts to shield the culprits and asked if the matter would be investigated by the CBI.
BJP MLA Dharamlal Kaushik retorted, asking if Baghel trusted the CBI. Following this, the Oppposition staged a walkout from the Assembly.
Chandrakar also raised concerns about the recruitment process at Bastar's Shaheed Mahendra Karma University, alleging non-compliance with roster rules and arbitrary practices. Replying to the concern, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said a committee has been formed to investigate the irregularities and action would be taken after the report is submitted.
Earlier, the Assembly paid tribute to former Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and Surendra Bahadur Singh, the former king of Sakti princely state and ex-cabinet minister, following their demise.
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