KPSC scam: Sub-committee points to lapses committed by then Secretary in the recruitment of AEEs

KPSC sub-committee uncovers exam malpractices, recommends cancellation of 10 appointments, and calls for CID investigation.

The sub-committee constituted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) to look into allegations of malpractices in the examination for the posts of Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) in the Department of Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation has pointed to lapses by the then Secretary of Commission Latha Kumari.

It also suggested a slew of exam reforms to ensure that the process is tamper-proof (See graphics).

The sub-committee, which has submitted a report to the government that 10 of those selected had indulged in exam malpractice, expressed strong objection to Ms. Kumari publishing the final selection list of candidates without the consent of the Chairman and Members of the Commission.

In its recommendation, the sub-committee has appealed to the government to cancel the postings of 10 candidates, who got jobs after tampering with OMR (Optical Marks Recognition) sheets, and also to entrust this case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

The sub-committee report states that although Anand S. Siddareddy had filed an objection to the provisional list of 24 AEEs, the then Secretary of the Commission had published the final selection list without investigating them.

“Anand S. Siddareddy had filed objection to the provisional selection list on September 25, 2023, and his objections were pending for consideration of the Commission. However, the then Secretary of the Commission, instead of enquiring into the objections, ventured to publish the final selection list without the concurrence of the Commission on January 31, 2024. Therefore, the act of the then Secretary in publishing the final selection list is contrary to the procedure followed by the Commission,” the report stated. The sub-committee had banked on a FSL report to arrive at the conclusion that 10 candidates had indulged in malpractice.

“These candidates have not only cheated the Commission but their actions have resulted in denying a fair opportunity to the meritorious candidates who would have become eligible for selection on their own merit,” the report stated.