APPSC row rocks Assembly

The alleged irregularities in the conduct of examinations and interviews by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) rocked the Assembly on Saturday.

Telugu Desam members stalled proceedings for close to two hours demanding removal of APPSC chairman Y. Venkatarami Reddy from his post and an inquiry into the ‘lapses' which denied opportunities to eligible aspirants hailing from SC & ST communities. As the TDP members insisted on a debate after Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy disallowed their adjournment motion, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes.

When the House assembled, it was adjourned once again as the TDP members rushed to the well insisting on an assurance from the Treasury Benches that necessary action would be initiatedTDP members disrupted the proceedings which were resumed after 45 minutes prompting Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to intervene. He said the government was seriously examining the allegations relating to the APPSC's functioning.

Mr. Rosaiah, however, rejected immediate action claiming the government could not do so “just because the newspapers carried some reports”. Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded that recruitments be kept on hold pending completion of inquiry so that genuine aspirants were not denied their due.

Representatives of the TDP and two Left parties later called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan urging him to refer the matter to the President and seek an inquiry by the Supreme Court for ensuring fairness and transparency in the functioning of the commission. “This is an unfortunate situation where belief and confidence in the functioning of constitutional bodies has been eroded,” they said in their memorandum to the Governor.