Maha govt postpones MPSC exam; new dates to be announced later

Bowing to sentiments of members from both the Houses, the Maharashtra government on Thursday decided to postpone the MPSC exams scheduled on April 7 to avoid hardships to candidates following a data loss due to a virus attack on March 31.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan while making a statement on the floor of the House. The new dates will be announced later by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), he said.

Chavan said that he reviewed the preparations of the Commission on Thursday in the aftermath of the server crash and all efforts were being taken to ensure that no candidate suffers. "The Commission told me that they were prepared to conduct the exam on Sunday and also assured me that no candidate would be affected," Chavan said. However, taking into consideration the views expressed by members of both the Houses on the issue, the government has decided to postpone the prelim examinations, he said.

During the day, legislators cutting across party lines in both the Houses had demanded that the exams be postponed. Even Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had sympathised with the MPSC candidates and said they would not be at much loss if exams are postponed by 5-10 days.

In the Assembly, Vallabh Benke (NCP) had raised the issue after criticising the government for staying adamant on holding the exams on schedule, based on bureaucrats inputs rather than people's representatives.

"MPSC exams are not being held for the last four years. What is the harm if these exams are postponed by a month to ensure that candidates appearing for the exams do not suffer due to their online data being corrupted," he asked.

Benke was supported by Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse, Sena group leader Subhash Desai, BJP MLA Devendra Phadanvis, NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad and others. Awhad said why should the government harass the candidates with additional tension about their exam centres and hall tickets when 48 hours before the exam is crucial for them to concentrate on what they have studied.

The members rushed to the well shouting slogans that justice be done to MPSC students. They said they will not allow the House to function till a decision is taken on the matter following which the proceedings were adjourned thrice amid din.

MPSC exams were scheduled to be held for 265 posts and 3.25 lakh candidates were to appear for it. They were informed to update their information online till April 4 through e-mail, SMS and telephone.