CM firm on scrapping KPSC selection list, holding re-exam

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday stood firm by the Cabinet decision to reject the selection of 362 candidates by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) for the posts of Group A and B gazetted probationers in 2011, and said it was done within legal framework. 

Replying to questions posed by the media regarding the agitation by the rejected Karnataka Administrative Services candidates, he said the protests were politically motivated with the backing of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and BJP leader R Ashoka. 

Siddaramaiah said the decision was based on a report submitted by the CID, that probed the scam. “These politicians do not want to accept the CID report. On the one hand, we are expected to ensure there is no corruption but on the other, we are not allowed to come out with the truth. This shows that the whole issue is being politicised.” 

Sharing some details of the scam, he said that of the 1,085 students who appeared for the oral exam, 1,083 got equal marks. This shows the extent of irregularities. 

The government cannot reject the suggestions made by the CID, Advocate General and Law Department. “When the government is trying to wage a war against corruption, then is it possible to reject the CID report pointing out a scam,” he asked. 

The government’s decision may go against some but keeping the scale of corruption, the decision has been taken, he argued. He added that re-evaluation cannot be done, but there will be re-examination. Age restrictions will be relaxed for those who had cleared the exam, besides  showing preference while filling up the 362 posts afresh.