Arunachal Pradesh: Committed to restore sanctity of APPSC, says CM Pema Khandu

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government is committed to “retain and restore” the sanctity of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).

This was stated by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday.

“We are firm to retain and restore the sanctity of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC),” said CM Pema Khandu.

The Arunachal Pradesh chief minister further informed that the state cabinet has “recommended to initiate the provisions of Article 317 for removal and suspension of four members of APPSC”.

Clause 3 of Article 317 states that “the Chairman or any other member of a Public Service Commission shall only be removed from his office by order of the President on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court, on reference being made to it by the President, has, on inquiry held in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf under article 145, reported that the Chairman or such other member, as the case may be, ought on any such ground to be removed.”

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, on Thursday, handed over the recommendation of the state cabinet to invoke Article 317 to governor Brig (retd) BD Mishra.

“We are determined to take the process of cleansing of APPSC to its logical conclusion in larger interests of our youths and state,” said Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu also said that the state government intends to overhaul the entire setup of the APPSC.

Also read: PM Modi likely to visit Arunachal Pradesh on October 30 to inaugurate Donyi Polo airport

“The state government, from day one, has made its intentions very clear for overhauling the entire APPSC,” said Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu.

CM Khandu also added that a team of central bureau of investigation (CBI) has already reached Itanagar and is getting ready to formally take over the investigation into the incident of assistant engineer (AE) exam paper leak.

The state of Arunachal Pradesh was recently rocked by a paper leak row during exams to recruit assistant engineers (civil).

The exams were conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).

“The CBI has already reached Itanagar and has registered an FIR. It is now in the process of taking up the case soon for investigation,” Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu said.