Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Jharkhand Health and Medical Education Minister Irfan Ansari on Thursday asserted that there had been no paper leak in the state, maintaining concerns raised by protesting students could be resolved through talks. The minister’s remark has come at the time when students are job aspirants protest against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations entered its 13th day on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Irfan Ansari said, “I want to say again that there has been no paper leak in Jharkhand. This is not Uttar Pradesh, not Bihar, and not Gujarat. This is Jharkhand, and we are concerned about it.”
He further claimed that the state government had acted wherever irregularities were detected. “Whatever irregularities have occurred, action has been taken against them. Jharkhand is the only state which has taken action against the accused. Name one BJP-ruled state where action was taken? Our Chief Minister has shown generosity,” he added.
Responding to demands to cancel the JPSC examination, Ansari said such a step would create fresh unrest among successful candidates.
The Minister claimed that outside political elements and opposition parties are orchestrating a drama to defame the state government.
The movement, led primarily by JPSC aspirants, has intensified over the past two weeks. Despite continuous overnight rainfall, the protesters remained at the venue, refusing to call off the agitation and reiterating that they would continue their protest until their demands were addressed by the government.
Student leader Devendra Mahto also continued his indefinite hunger strike, while fellow protesters remained stationed at the demonstration site through the night despite the adverse weather conditions. Amid the protest, a delegation of students has been granted an appointment for talks with representatives of the Jharkhand government on Thursday.
