Patiala: ADO paper leak allegations baseless: PPSC Chairman cites probe findings

Patiala, June 11

Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh today refuted the allegations of paper leak and maintained that the internal fact-finding investigation found these baseless. The exam for the posts of Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) was conducted on June 30.

Aulakh said the commission was open to investigation by any independent agency and also demanded a high-level probe on the allegation made by an teacher of a coaching institute, Agrimentors, Chandigarh.

“An inquiry is being recommended for investigating the allegations of bribery. If these allegations prove false, legal action should be taken against those trying to create distrust among the public,” said Aulakh.

Over 6,100 candidates had filled the examination form and over 4,100 appeared for the exam for nearly 200 posts of Agriculture Development Officer (ADO). The candidates have demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged paper leak, claiming that after a four-year wait, the candidates will suffer while those who are involved in cheating will benefit. They said the paper was leaked to benefit the aspirants from Haryana and a particular centre.

On June 30, hours after the examination, a coaching centre teacher in Chandigarh posted a video on YouTube alleging that the paper had been leaked. However, he said in the video that he did not have any proof to substantiate his claim. Additionally, certain allegations were levelled in the media, claiming that a bribe of Rs 32 lakh was taken by a senior officer of the Agriculture Department to leak the exam.

Aulakh said after the allegations were levelled, it took them four-five days to conduct an internal investigation. “It has been found that no officer from the department is involved in the examination process conducted by the PPSC,” claimed Aulakh.

“Contrary to the allegations, no candidate had access to the question paper before the exam and no candidate was allowed to enter any centre after the start of the examination at 11 am. We have also verified the video of the centres, which proves that no candidate entered the hall once the examination began,” said Aulakh.

The use of biometric machines, 5G jammers at every centre and the deployment of door frame metal detector (DFMD) and hand-held metal detector by security personnel for frisking ensured the process was foolproof.