DIMAPUR, DEC 9 (MExN): After discussions on various aspects, the State cabinet realized that it is premature to consider handing over the investigation of the NPSC scam to the CBI as the case is on trial in the court of law. Chief Secretary P Talitemjen Ao in a statement said the cabinet on December 7 had met to deliberate on the issue. The government’s argument as to why the case cannot be handed over to the CBI is that the NPSC, around 30 years ago, had made its own regulation that answer scripts are to be destroyed after one year unless there are specific complaints against the examination results. “Neither the State Vigilance Commission, nor the CBI, even if invited, would be in a position now to produce the desired or expected result,” the statement said and instead urged the NSF and likeminded bodies to work towards reforming the existing system.
The public inquiry conducted by Benjamin Newmai, as directed by the government, is significant in the finding that after the introduction of the post of Controller of Examinations, he found no ground or reason to suspect the confidentiality and fairness of the COE to the present examination system of NPSC, according to the government. “In fact, he recommended that the post of COE should continue to be manned by a person from outside the regular staff of NPSC, and selected through a search committee, as is being done,” the chief secretary said.
NSF President Pushika Aomi, when contacted, said the student body was not satisfied with the government’s ‘excuse.’ He however declined to specify if the bandh- a component of the five-phase agitation the student body had earlier notified of - would be staged before or after Christmas.
