Key Points
Sharma commission report reveals alleged corruption in APSC recruitment
Rakesh Kumar Paul accused of gifting jewellery during wedding
CM claims systematic corruption during Congress rule
BJP government promises transparent recruitment process
The report of the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma-led one-man inquiry commission, which probed the 'cash-for-job scam' in the conduct of the Assam Public Service Commission's (APSC) Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) in 2013 and 2014 during the Congress rule, was laid in the assembly on February 17.
During a discussion in the Assembly on Monday, Sarma said, "The report stated that Rakesh Kumar Paul (prime accused) had gifted jewellery to the son of former CM Tarun Gogoi during his wedding. Prima facie, it is a case of corruption unless denied."
"Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has not denied yet. So, we can consider it a case of corruption," Sarma told the House.
"Cong invented a new template for corruption- conceal proceeds of crime as a 'marriage gift' This is exactly what played out it in the wedding of a Hon'ble MP from the Cong party," Sarma said in a post on X later.
https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1896527917930398049
The committee report also revealed that then-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had given notes in favour of Rakesh Paul's appointment as a member of APSC, following which he was later appointed as its chairman.
"The Congress party has a rule. They know exactly where to commit corruption. Now, they have taught everyone this trick of corruption: Don't take it directly; take it as a wedding gift, " CM Sarma said in the assembly.
"For the first time in the contemporary history of India, the chairman of a public service commission and all its members were arrested. We took a decision for exemplary action and tried to cleanse the system. Today, all recruitments in APSC are taking place in a clean and transparent manner," asserted Sarma.
He further claimed that during the tenure of the BJP government, meritorious students are getting jobs through APSC as opposed to ministers' kin during the Congress rule.
"From APSC to Grade IV, we have brought transparency in all levels of government recruitment in Assam. Gradually, people's faith has returned. The biggest achievement is that the students feel there cannot be any corruption in the job process," the CM stressed.
