GUWAHATI: The report of the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sarma-led one-man inquiry commission was tabled by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, February 17. The commission investigated allegations of irregularities and malpractices in the Assam Public Service Commission’s (APSC) Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) of 2013 and 2014.
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The report highlighted grave misconduct by the then APSC chairman, Rakesh Kumar Paul, stating that his involvement in corrupt practices extended beyond the two examinations under scrutiny. The findings indicated that Paul, during his tenure from 2008 until his arrest in 2016, was linked to over 200 recruitment processes, including the CCEs. The panel suggested that a broader investigation could reveal further instances of malpractice.
The commission described the APSC under Paul as a "private guild" where government jobs were openly sold. It revealed that the integrity of the selection process had been completely compromised, reducing the constitutional body to an employment agency driven by financial and extraneous considerations. The scandal, unearthed in 2016, resulted in nearly 70 arrests, including Paul and over 50 civil and police officers.
“With the kind of revelation made in the Inquiry conducted by the Commission, it must be said that the APSC was reduced to a private guild and/or employment agency for providing job in lieu of money and other extraneous consideration.” the report stated.
“Its sanctity as a constitutional body was tempered with impunity. The kind of Selection that was conducted and resorted to, made a mockery of the same. Jobs were made available for sale.” it further added.
The report questioned Paul’s initial appointment and subsequent elevation to chairman, arguing that his selection itself laid the foundation for large-scale corruption. It also pointed out that many of those illegally recruited were aided by influential figures, including family members and high-ranking individuals. While the services of some fraudulent appointees have been terminated, the commission expressed concern that many still hold key administrative positions, posing a threat to governance and public trust.
