Overview
- The chief minister recommended the formation of a committee to examine the conduct of former and serving Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairpersons and members, and sent the proposal to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday.
- The government has proposed that the panel be headed by a retired High Court judge and asked to submit a report within three months, with any removal or further action to follow from its findings.
- The move uses Article 317 of the Constitution, which provides the legal route for inquiry into and potential suspension or removal of public service commission chairpersons and members.
- Protests by MPSC aspirants in Pune have continued for six days demanding the resignation of chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and raising questions about alleged exam paper leaks and whether tests should be objective or descriptive.
- The state has already ended the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar, and political figures including Rahul Gandhi are reported likely to meet protesters as the inquiry process proceeds.