The representatives of the Jharkhand government on Saturday held talks with the Devendra Nath Mahto-led faction of the job aspirants over the alleged paper leaks, but failed to break the deadlock. The protesters have decided that their agitation would continue until all their demands are met and have warned of a march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 10.
An eight-member delegation of the Mahto-led group met the government panel, which comprised five members. The delegation of the protesters comprised Rama Avatar Mahto, Chandan Kumar, Dinbandhu Mandal, Bimal Kumar, Puja Kumari, Prem Kumar, Ravi Shankar and Amit Kumar Sharma.
State minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere and recruitment discrepancies explained by students will be resolved soon. “We will meet different student unions, including the NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha and Adivasi Chhatra Sangha, and brief the chief minister on outcomes,” she said.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government has issued an email ID, jpsc.jssc.feedback@gmail.com, seeking suggestions from aspirants on reforming the recruitment processes.
Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav said, “All the students’ demands are justified, and we will take up their issues with the Chief Minister. All their grievances will be addressed.”
The government representatives also held talks with NSUI, ACS, and JCM delegations.
What Happened In First Round of Talks
The first round of talks between a 10-member delegation of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch and a government panel failed to break the deadlock on Friday.
The students are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, besides comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Ahead of the second round of talks on Saturday, JKLM leader Devendra Nath Mahto said the talks would not have been necessary had the government acted earlier. “Had the government agreed to our demands when the other students met them, it wouldn’t have been necessary for us to go as well. It doesn’t matter how many of us go to meet them — all of us have the same demands, which should be fulfilled,” he said.
Jharkhand Protest: What Are The Demands
The protesters say their movement is aimed at ensuring a transparent and corruption-free recruitment process in Jharkhand. Their key demands include:
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, alleging large-scale irregularities.
- An independent investigation into the recruitment process, either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
- Structural reforms in JPSC and JSSC to ensure fair and transparent recruitment in future examinations.
The CID, probing the alleged recruitment scam, has so far arrested 19 people and former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.