MP: Congress Alleges Vyapam-like Scam in Patwari Recruitment Exam

Bhopal: As the allegation of irregularities in the recruitment of grade 2, sub-grade 4, and Patwari vacancies surfaced, Congress announced to draft a strict law to prevent scams in the examination if voted to power. 

In a press conference, former Union Minister Arun Yadav alleged that a college in Gwalior district owned by a sitting BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) MLA Sanjeev Kushwaha had given seven out of 10 toppers and over 140 aspirants, who sat for examination from that centre, qualified in the examination.

"Seven out of 10 toppers are from the Gwalior-Chambal region, similar to the agriculture officers recruitment exam 2021 scam in which all the toppers not only belong to the same region but their caste, their college and academic performance were also the same, and they made similar mistakes in the examination which was cancelled after the probe."

Kushwaha, a sitting MLA from Bhind, is a former Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) leader who switched to the BJP recently.  

The Congress leader further alleged that six members of a family qualified for the examination, and those candidates who secured 25 out of 25 in English had signed their copies in Hindi, which raises suspicion of a Vyapam-like scam. 

"The name of Vyapam has changed thrice over the years. But the corruption continues unabated."  

In February 2021, when Vyapam, then known as Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), declared the results for the recruitment of agriculture officers on 862 posts and candidates raised suspicion, the government conducted the probe and cancelled the examination after the investigation.

Against the vacancy of 6000 grade 2, sub-grade 4 and Patwari, the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board received 12.34 lakh applications, of which 9.74 lakh sat in the examination. 

The MPESB, which has roped in a Bangalore-based company since 2021, Eduquity Career Techno Pvt Ltd, to conduct examinations, took online exams between March 15, 2023, to April 26, 2023. The company charges MPESB Rs 168 for a candidate. 

Sniffing irregularities in the exam, an aspirant, Surendra Yadav (25), who appeared in the examination, pointed out, "It has been two days since the MPESB declared the results. Yet, the toppers are untraceable. The woman who topped the examination is a 40-year-old lady, and another is a 19-year-old; she is also untraceable. Besides, all the toppers made the same mistake in the examination paper."

As the results were declared on July 10, the aspirants took to social media to highlight the irregularities in the examination. The Congress quickly took up the issue and demanded an enquiry into the alleged scam. 

"The candidate who can't sign properly in Hindi has not only secured full marks in English but also become a top scorer in all the subjects. This isn't amazing?" lamented Surendra Yadav demanding a high-level probe into the matter.

Responding to a question, Congress leader Arun Yadav said that on the lines of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh would also draft a law to end these scams if voted to power. 

The MPESB, which was previously known as Vyapam and is infamous for rigging entrance examinations of medical colleges in 2013-14, allegedly killing over 50 students associated with the scam, was renamed thrice in the last decade.

The Vyapam, now MPESB, has conducted 106 examinations between 2015 to 2022 and under the radar of investigative agencies after irregularities surfaced in 24 examinations and FIRs were lodged against the individuals and officials. By filling up forms, the recruitment agency has earned over Rs 607 crore from aspirants between 2014-15, according to the data tabled in the assembly. 

On the newly surfaced scam, 2009 Vyapam whistleblower Paras Saklecha said, "Two dozen examinations conducted by Vyapam between 2014-2022 are under the police scanner. The CBI is investigating 12 examinations conducted by Vyapam in which former chief minister Uma Bharti, former Minister Laxmikant Sharma and RSS leader Sudarshan were named as accused."  

He further said, "Even though the series of scams in the Vyapam examinations pointed toward the organised syndicate, the BJP government never probed it as they wanted to recruit RSS men in the government jobs instead of meritorious candidates."  

A scathing attack on the chief minister, Saklecha, who has joined the Congress, alleged, "Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the Minister of MPESB, and whenever the scam surfaced, he was heading the department. Yet, he always clears his name. If Congress voted to power in 2023, the government would investigate all the scams taken under CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's regime."

"Vyapam has changed four companies since 2017-18 to conduct examinations. Yet, the scam continues." 

When questioned over the alleged scam, Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who is a spokesperson of the government, on Wednesday said, "The results were declared in May and June. But no one complained. When Assembly sessions are underway, Congress creates a ruckus. Those who are tweeting are associated with the Congress." 

Congress President Kamalnath tweeted, "The news of irregularities in the Patwari recruitment scam is coming to light, and once again, there is a BJP link."

"Vyapam, Nursing, Constable recruitment, Agriculture officer and other scams have become signature of Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government. Demanding probes is also a joke in this government as they save the kingpin. I demand an investigation from an independent agency."