HC rules Chhattisgarh PSC merit list was manipulated, bureaucrats face demotion

Senior correspondent

NewsBits.in

BILASPUR: In a major decision, the High Court has ruled that the merit list of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC) that was conducted in 2003 was manipulated.

The court also directed that the candidates who were not interviewed due to the manipulation in PSC, should again be called for interview. As many as 56 officials including that of the rank of Deputy Collector, DSP, Tehsildars either face axe or demotion now.

The verdict says that the merit list should be again prepared. The entire process has to be completed within two months. Those who were ineligible but were fraudulently given higher rank and perform badly in the fresh interview, will not be selected. They face dismissal.

Scores of officials who would be affected by the order, were present in the court, many of them shaken. However, the petitioners were upbeat. The court decision was awaited for a long time, as it pertained to large-scale corruption in Chhattisgarh Public Service Commissin (PSC).

The HC has also ordered that compensation be given to the petitioners who suffered due to the manipulation and the fraud in selection process. As many as 147 selections were made. Nearly 52 officials who were selected and had benefited due to the manipulation, face action now.