Andhra CM urges Jagan to answer for APPSC recruitment lapses in Assembly

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday demanded that YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy explain on the floor of the Legislative Assembly the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for APPSC Group-I posts. He urged Mr. Reddy to refrain from counter-attacks "based on falsehoods" and instead respond to the seriousness of the issue.

Participating in a discussion on the examination, evaluation and selection process for APPSC Group-I recruitment, Mr. Naidu said he had not come across such a "shocking episode" in his long political career. He recalled instances of ministers in the past stepping down by taking moral responsibility for question paper leaks and even minor wrongdoings.

The Chief Minister asserted that the government had placed details and documentary evidence of the alleged irregularities before the House. He maintained that the issue could not be brushed aside through political rhetoric and vowed to take stringent action against those responsible for brazen violations during the recruitment process.

Mr. Naidu also made it clear that while action would be taken against guilty officers and staff, the government would overhaul the functioning of the APPSC to prevent recurrence of such irregularities. He pointed out that the flawed conduct of the examinations during the YSRCP's tenure was evidence of high-level corruption, and even court directions could not stem the rot.

He further alleged that the answers were evaluated in Hyderabad and at a location near Mangalagiri, and that a false affidavit was submitted to the High Court. The court, he said, eventually ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as it did not trust the then government's sworn statements. He also mentioned that a senior police officer, who served as Intelligence Chief during the YSRCP's tenure, committed serious mistakes.

The Chief Minister warned that any party's tendency to create chaos on the streets when not in power was unacceptable. "Even if the government keeps quiet, the people would make such parties pay a heavy price for their follies," he said.

The APPSC conducts recruitment exams for various posts in the state government. The Group-I recruitment has been a contentious issue, with allegations of paper leaks and irregularities surfacing. The current government has set up an SIT to investigate the matter. The recruitment process has faced public criticism and legal scrutiny, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in such exams, which directly affect the careers of thousands of young aspirants.