The Jharkhand government on Monday cancelled the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination and all recruitment tests conducted by outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) since 2014 amid a prolonged protest over alleged irregularities.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting and also approved an exam reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to recommend measures to strengthen the state’s recruitment system.
The move came as six protesters continued their hunger strike, with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch maintaining that the agitation would continue until the government ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. The protesters have also announced plans to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence on August 20.
Soren said CID and special investigation team probes had uncovered “surprising factors”, including the alleged involvement of companies operating in Jharkhand in what he described as a major examination racket. He said details could not be disclosed at this stage.
The government also said it would strictly implement the Jharkhand Competitive Examination Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment Act.
The cancellation prompted a counter-protest by candidates who had cleared the JSSC-CGL examination and secured government jobs. They appealed to Soren to reconsider the decision, claiming around 2,000 people could lose their jobs.
The BJP supported the demand for a CBI probe, while the CID continued its investigation and raids in connection with the alleged examination irregularities.
