KPSC case: Will not compromise on youths’ future, says K'taka Min Priyank Kharge

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Sep 5 (AHN) Karnataka Home, IT-BT and e-Governance Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Saturday said the government would not tolerate any attempt to jeopardise the future of young people and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination irregularities.

Speaking to reporters at the Aivana-e-Shahi Guest House in Kalaburagi, Kharge said there was no question of protecting anyone involved in the examination malpractice.

“Regardless of how powerful they are or which political party they belong to, those involved in the examination irregularities will face stringent legal action. We are committed to ensuring justice for the students,” he said.

Kharge, who is also the Kalaburagi district in-charge minister, said that as the Home Minister, he would not allow any evidence related to the case to be weakened or tampered with.

He said he had raised the issue of examination irregularities even when he was in the Opposition. “When I was in the Opposition, I had introduced a private member’s Bill to prevent examination irregularities. Now, during our government’s tenure, a Bill has been brought to prevent such malpractice,” he said.

The government has initiated the process to fill 70,000 posts, with around 35 lakh candidates appearing for examinations, he said, adding that protecting the interests of all the candidates was the government’s responsibility.

Responding to a question on reports that only five taluks in Kalaburagi district had been declared drought-affected, Kharge said drought declarations had to be made in accordance with the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines.

“The guidelines have been framed by the Central Government. Instead of staging protests in Kalaburagi, the Opposition should protest before the Central Government,” he said.

On prison reforms, Kharge said a high-level committee headed by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R. Hithendra had already submitted its report on the administration, security and reforms of prisons in Karnataka.

The recommendations would be implemented after discussions with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, he said.

MLC Tippannappa Kamaknoor was present at the press conference.