BSSC Chairman Confirms Politicians’ Involvement in Bihar Job Scam

The cancellation comes in the wake of reports of the exam paper being leaked online. (Photo: iStock)

Sudhir Kumar, the chairman of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission confirmed that there are several politicians involved in the multi-crore Bihar employment scam. Kumar admitted that he has received regular recommendations from politicians to get their kin appointed and more often than not the politician comes to sit in the office to get the work done, as India Today reported.

The fact is wherever appointment takes place in the government, it is on basis of recommendation. No one can deny it. If I don’t listen to their recommendations, they get angry... many times, politicians not only make recommendation, but come to my office to get their work done. What can I do? Should I throw them out of my office?

Sudhir Kumar, BSSC Chairman

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Thursday, announced the cancellation of the Bihar State Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) clerk recruitment exams.

BSSC Secretary Parmeshwar Ram has been arrested in the paper leak case, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said. “SIT has arrested Parmeshwar Ram and one another staff of the Commission in this connection,” the SSP said.

Ram told investigators about the involvement of a few legislators in the scam. Investigators have also found several SMS recommendations on Ram’s phone. It was also discovered that candidates would shell up to Rs 6 lakh for questions and answers to the papers ahead of the exam.

Sushil Modi has alleged that the entire job scam has taken place with the patronage of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Modi alleged that Ramashish Singh, the director of a private school arrested in connection with the scam had links to Lalu.

The state government has cancelled the BSSC exam for clerical grade appointment on the basis of the preliminary report of state police chief PK Thakur and recommendation of Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh.

The cancellation comes in the wake of reports of the question paper being leaked online. Kumar made the announcement after the state Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat. On Monday, the Chief Minister ordered a through probe into the paper leak.

The Chief Minister had cracked the whip and issued strict instructions to the two top officials to throughly inquire into it following which SIT swung into action.

The exam was annulled after Commission Secretary Parmeshwar Ram by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was thoroughly questioned under the supervision of Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj.

The latest exam irregularity follows the now infamous 2016 toppers' scam in the state grade 12 examinations.

(With inputs from PTI)