CM Sarbananda Sonowal orders inquiry into P&RD recruitment scam; AASU demands high-level probe

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an inquiry into the alleged Panchayat & Rural Development recruitment scam.

The inquiry will be done by Additional Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah and the report has to be submitted at the earliest.

The Criminal Investigation Department had earlier submitted the investigation report on the anomalies in the recruitment examination for the vacant posts in the P&RD department, held in May 2018. The report alleged that there were numerous irregularities in as many as 18 examination centres.

The results for the examination were declared on March 5th triggering widespread reactions as eligible candidates had allegedly failed to make it to the list of selected candidates.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Students’ Union demanded a high-level probe into the alleged recruitment scam in the information & public relations and Panchayat & Rural Development departments.

Alleging that associates of BJP leaders have been linked to the recruitment, the AASU leaders said the people were sick of corruption during previous regimes and that they wanted a change but even the new government has failed to provide any respite.