Rohit Pawar addresses MPSC protesters in Pune

NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, on Saturday, alleged that the Commissioner of Pune Police threatened the competitive exam teachers who had approached him to complain about the irregularities in the recent Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination. He was speaking at a press conference held in Pune, where he was accompanied by these teachers. Pawar further accused MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanrao of corruption and demanded his suspension. He also reiterated the worries expressed by the MPSC aspirants about other examinations and demanded an investigation. Pawar said that the students and teachers in Pune will be marching in protest on September 7, for the fulfilment of their demand regarding the MPSC's irregularities.

“We went to the MPSC office with the students. We gave solid evidence about this matter. The police have also detained seven to eight people during the investigation. We have given the names of more than 100 people to the Crime Branch and we want them to investigate these people. The MPSC paper was leaked for the first time in 1997, and now it has happened again after almost 30 years. We and the students have faith in MPSC, and we expect MPSC to investigate this matter. If one paper has been leaked, then there is a possibility that other papers may also have been leaked. It is also possible that this has happened before,” Pawar said while speaking at the press conference.

The question paper for the examination conducted by the MPSC for the position of drug inspector on March 22 was leaked, leading to the cancellation of the examination when the leak was revealed. After investigation police understood that the accused had bought the paper for 12 lakh rupees for his own daughter. After this, students raised the questions if such paper leaks may have happened many times before too.

"Students have expressed concerns about several examinations conducted by the MPSC, including MPSC Group B exam, MPSC Mains, Agri Mains and other descriptive exams, Group C exam, Excise Inspector recruitment examination, Qualifying examination, Agri Engineering examination, etc. We are going to submit all of these concerns along with evidence to the MPSC. Once we submit the evidence, we expect the MPC to give us an answer about the same in 10 days, and provide a reasoning for the same," Pawar added.

Pawar was seen talking to the MPSC aspirants who had gathered in large numbers for his press conference. He then accompanied them to the office of Commissioner of Pune Police, to submit a letter of demands regarding the investigation as well as the MPSC chaiman's resignation.

Allegations Against MPSC chairman

Pawar then made several allegations against MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanrao, stating that the students have expressed these several times.

He said, "There are many allegations of corruption against Bhimanrao, before he took over the MPSC. On January 19, we submitted a letter of allegations to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Governor. But no action has been taken yet. Bhimanrao is close to the CM. He was the CM's senior in college."

Pawar also said that Bhimanrao was involved in a corruption case of Rs 1800 crores when he was working in the Regional Transport Office. He demanded that the chairman should be suspended and that a clean and honest officer like Tukaram Mundhe should be appointed instead.

Pawar questions the approach of Pune Police 

A few days ago, competitive examination teachers in Pune held a press conference, wherein they asked for a stricter investigation and more transparency from the MPSC. Pawar alleged that when that when the teachers approached the Pune Police Commissioner with the evidence that they had gathered about with regard to the irregularities in the MPSC examination, they were threatened by him.

"The Commissioner told the teachers that they will check whether the teachers have paid GST or not and will audit their building and shut down their classes,” Pawar said. He added that these teachers are fighting for the rights of students, but they are being pressured and threatened.

He also questioned the imposition of a ban on public assembly in Pune saying, "Why was Section 144 imposed? What is the reason for keeping it in place for a whole year? Are you afraid of the students? A few days ago, a BJP leader held a Rakshabandhan programme, [despite the prohibitory orders]. Was any action taken against him? But when students sit together for a discussion, why is action taken against them? The police department should stop threatening students. And if we say we will protest, then we will definitely do that. The CP threatens teachers. You should instead focus on the Koyta gang.”