Bengaluru, Aug 28 (PTI) Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge over alleged irregularities in KPSC recruitment.
He questioned the government’s decision to appoint candidates despite complaints and an ongoing inquiry into the selection process.
Kumaraswamy particularly questioned the appointment of 24 Assistant Executive Engineers recruited through the Karnataka Public Service Commission for the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department.
The union minister for Heavy Industries and Steel alleged that complaints of OMR-sheet manipulation and missing CCTV footage had surfaced before the final selection list was issued.
“If you have even a little regard for the words you use, you must resign immediately. If you want to demonstrate transparent administration, do it,” Kumaraswamy told reporters. He was referring to Priyank, who was the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister in the Siddaramaiah government when the examination and selection process was conducted.
Kumaraswamy said a complaint submitted to the KPSC in September 2023 alleged that several candidates in the provisional selection list had secured very low marks in earlier examinations but had allegedly tampered with OMR sheets in the July 2, 2023, AEE examination.
The complaint sought verification of the OMR sheets and CCTV footage from the examination centres.
He said the KPSC took up the complaint and ordered verification of the records and CCTV footage. A three-member sub-committee was later constituted to inquire into the allegations.
According to Kumaraswamy, the committee examined the candidates’ applications, admission cards and face-recognition data but found that CCTV footage relating to some candidates was unavailable.
He alleged that the committee faced difficulties in obtaining documents required for the inquiry.
Kumaraswamy said the final selection list was nevertheless published on January 31, 2024, while the inquiry was still under way.
“The KPSC secretary repeatedly overruled the Commission’s powers and sent whatever list he wanted to the government. What action have you taken against him? What action have you taken against the officers responsible?” he asked.
He said the KPSC subsequently objected to the manner in which the selection list was forwarded and asked the Chief Secretary not to act on it.
The Commission’s sub-committee later examined the OMR sheets and carbon copies of the 24 candidates and decided that the material should undergo scientific examination.
Kumaraswamy said the OMR sheets and available carbon copies were subsequently sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, which examined the markings on the answer sheets. Available CCTV footage was also examined, he said.
He questioned why the government proceeded with the appointments despite the allegations and inquiry into the selection process.
Referring to proceedings before the Karnataka High Court, he said the court had indicated that the matter could be considered for investigation by the CBI.
He questioned Priyank’s role as the minister in charge of the department when the examination and selection process were conducted.
“You were the Panchayat Raj minister when these irregularities allegedly took place, yet appointments were made, and these people are now drawing salaries. Why did you rush to appoint them? Did you not investigate all this?” he asked.
Kumaraswamy questioned the government’s claims of transparency and its handling of corruption allegations.
“The CM (D K Shivakumar) says corruption will no longer be allowed in this state. He says there is no question of corruption or bribery,” he said, asking what action the government had taken in the face of the recruitment-related allegations.
He referred to a separate allegation in the KPSC veterinary recruitment case that Rs 80 lakh was allegedly demanded for selection, with Rs 40 lakh sought as an advance, and said the allegation warranted scrutiny.
He questioned the credibility of the KPSC following repeated allegations of irregularities and political interference.
“Recently, because of irregularities, there is virtually no public confidence in the Karnataka Public Service Commission as an institution,” he said.
Kumaraswamy alleged that political considerations and money had influenced appointments to the Commission and questioned the appointment of 18 KPSC members.
“Today you have put KPSC membership up for sale. You fix a price for KPSC membership and appoint members. How much should one pay you? How is this being done?” he alleged.
He called for greater scrutiny of appointments to the Commission and questioned the outcome of previous investigations into KPSC controversies.
“How many CID investigations have you conducted? How many investigation reports have you received and acted upon?” he asked, referring to previous inquiries and reports.
Kumaraswamy said the controversy had serious implications for unemployed youth preparing for government examinations and urged them to raise their voice against irregularities in recruitment.
He clarified that the original notification for the AEE recruitment had been issued during the previous BJP government but said the subsequent examination, selection process and decisions taken after the allegations emerged needed to be examined.
Kumaraswamy said the government should explain why appointments were made despite the allegations and an inquiry into the selection process.
He said his objective was to bring such issues before the public and hold the government accountable. PTI GMS SSK
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