Corruption-hit provisional probationary officers list scrapped

Prompted by a Criminal Investigation Department report about largescale malpractices, Karnataka Cabinet today scrapped the 2011 provisional list of gazetted probationary officers for group A and B services and ordered re-examination.
The CID report had thrown light on largescale malpractices in the examination and selection process, prompting the government to order reexamination, Law and Parliamentary Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.
"It was proved beyond doubt that malpractices happened as per CID report ... Therefore we decided to go for new advertisement, giving an opportunity for all the persons who had appeared in 2011 to appear again and rewrite," he said.

Government had ordered the CID inquiry into alleged irregularities after several candidates complained of rampant corruption during the selection process, he said. Nearly one lakh candidates took the examination over three years ago.
Before arriving at the decision, the government held talks with legal experts and sought the Advocate General's opinion, Jayachandra said.
He also said the decision was taken to discourage corruption in KPSC appointments. "After examining all the aspects, finally the government decided not to encourage and support corruption in KPSC appointments," the Minister said.

Asked if the decision would not anger selected honest and sincere candidates, Jayachandra said "We do admit. We sympathise with those who have honestly passed the exam. Since the examination system is at fault, there is no other alternative for the government but to reject the list."

Throwing light on the nature of malpractices, Jayachandra said KPSC members were unlawfully in touch with the candidates and (their) phones had also been tapped (by CID). For instance, Geology papers were evaluated by History lecturers, he added.
Marred by corruption and nepotism, the 2011 batch exam results are pending before the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal (KAT). Two KPSC members are in the dock for alleged malpractices in manipulating the final results to help "their candidates.