PSC, the constitutional body entrusted with conducting and publishing the results of exams for entry into government services, canceled the ongoing exams following protest from the candidates. [break]
The examinees had reached the PSC to attend the exam for the third paper scheduled on Friday.
´When we entered the exam hall, we found an answer sheet lying abandoned there and decided to boycott the exam, questioning the credibility of the PSC,´ said Ram Hari Tripathi, one of the examinees. The answer sheet belonged to one Bhola Nath Dhamala.
PSC officials said this is the first incident that the PSC exam has been boycotted, questioning the PSC"s credibility.
Some 163 examinees had appeared for the exam on Thursday, under advertisement no. 1336, for the post of section officer in the legal service.
´It has raised so many questions over the responsibility of the PSC,´ said Bhishma Bhattarai, one of the candidates, adding, ´It is blatant violation of the examination code of conduct.´ The PSC, which is regarded as the most credible among all constitutional bodies, cited "special reason" and deferred the exams.
- Answer sheet found abandoned in exam hall
- First of boycott of PSC exam in its history
- Examinees raise questions over PSC credibility
´We have deferred the exams due to some special reason,´ reads a PSC notice. ´The examinations will be held later,´ it further says.
´Though a question has been raised regarding our credibility, nobody can allege that there was mala fide intention behind the incident´, said Tika Datta Niraula, member of the PSC, adding, ´What can the PSC achieve by leaving an answer sheet in the exam hall?´
Niraula added that they will immediately initiate investigation into the case and take appropriate action against anyone found guilty. ´The answer sheet might have been left in the hall due to human error. I don"t think that somebody is trying to start a scam,´ he argued.
The photocopy of the abandoned answer sheet, which was also obtained by myrepublica.com, is signed by the chairman of the exam center.
´Once the answer sheet is signed by the chairman of the exam center, it automatically goes in the hands of the PSC and therefore the PSC should take responsibility for any oversight,´ Tripathi said.
Dhamala, whose answer sheet was found abandoned, said he is absolutely innocent and shocked by the incident. Asked about allegations that he himself is involved in the matter, he said, ´That is a totally baseless and nonsensical accusation.´
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