Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) – the constitutional body, which recruits all India officers for the country, gets new chairman in former defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar within two weeks of retirement of outgoing chairman Preety Sudan, who retires on April 29 this year.
However, Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the constitutional body which recruits officers for the state, fails to find a competent person to head even after elapse of 10 months.
Former IPS Sanjay Shrotriya, who was the last full time chairman retired on August 1, 2024. Former IAS Kailash Chand Meena, who was made member of RPSC by the outgoing Congress government in October 2023 on the day of announcement of election code of conduct, has been officiating as the chairman.
RPSC plagued with charges of corruption and paper-leak
The absence of a full time chairman becomes more painful in view of allegations of paper-leak and questions being raised at transparency in the working of commission. So much so that one of its members Babu Lal Katara had to be removed unceremoniously after he was arrested on charges of paper-leak.
Apart from Meena, there had seven members who were given the charge of chairman in the past. Among those officiating, only LL Joshi and RD Saini had longer term as chairman than Meena.
Appointment of a competent chairman may resurrect RPSC image
It's high time, the state government should appoint a competent and efficient person with unblemished image as the chairman of the beleaguered commission, which badly needs a facelift.
“It's a curious question why government is not acting in the direction of appointing a full time chairman, who can build image of the commission, which has lost its face. What's stopping the chief minister? If there is no competent person in the state, bring from other state or from centre,” said a senior bureaucrat.
He said that government should consider appointing a person with administrative background this time.
“If the state government is not able to find a retired IAS suitable for this post, it may appoint a serving one. But at least appoint someone to take responsibility,” the bureaucrat said.
How many members are in RPSC?
As per the constitution of RPSC, there is provision of 8 members including chairman. Currently, there are five members and no chairman. These members are – Kailash Chand Meena, Sangeeta Arya, Manju Sharma, Lt. Col. Kesari Singh Rathore and Prof Ayub Khan. All these members have been appointed by Gehlot government.
The BJP government, who is in power for last 18 months, has not appointed any member.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
