Scrap extension to SSC Chairman, says youth panel

Yuva Halla Bol, a nationwide movement against unemployment, here on Monday, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of flouting rules by changing retirement age of Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Chairman from 62 to 65 years to grant an illegal extension to Ashim Khurana.

Alleging that Khurana was granted an extension to hide the SSC scam and to cover up the corruption in the biggest government recruitment agency, Yuva Halla Bol leaders at a press conference explained how the rules were flouted and demanded Khurana's immediate dismissal.

They also demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged paper leak of the SSC-conducted Combined Graduate Level (Tier II) examination, to be completed in the next 10 days.

"A Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, Khurana was appointed the SSC chairman in December 2015 and his term got over on May 12, 2018. Two days later a cabinet committee met under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "recommended changing the retirement age from 62 years to 65 years and granting extension to Khurana," Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav said.

The move was criticised by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Ministry of Law and Justice, he added.

Showing RTI replies on the issue, Yadav said, "All the documents were released but those pertaining to PM's signature were claimed to be confidential and were not shared with us. Modi should apologise for the injustice perpetrated on the SSC examinees."

Yuva Halla Bol leader Anupam said, "Around 2 crore youth dream for a better future through various examinations conducted by the SSC. The government must take back the amendment made to the Rules for the Recruitment of the SSC Chairman."

He said after the CGL exam paper leak, examinees took to the streets in February 2018. Much of the anger was aimed at Khurana and calls for his resignation echoed throughout the country, he added.

"But the CBI investigation into the leak is pending even after a year. The perpetrators remain unpunished and justice out of students' reach," he said.

--IANS

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