Pune: State govt on Friday relieved Mahendra Harpalkar as secretary of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), amid continuing protests by competitive exam aspirants over alleged irregularities and paper leaks.The development comes on a day when students continue with their satyagraha in Pune, with MLA Rohit Pawar joining in while other political leaders, including MP Supriya Sule and MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, visited the protest site at SM Joshi Bridge on Karve Road and extended support to their demands.An order issued by state govt joint secretary Prashant Badgeri on Friday stated that Harpalkar’s deputation as MPSC secretary had been terminated for administrative reasons. He was appointed to the post on deputation for two years.According to the order, Harpalkar has been directed to hand over charge of his post immediately to another officer with the consent of the MPSC chairman. His next posting will be issued separately.The move follows a series of concerns raised by aspirants over the functioning of the commission. MPSC had cancelled the Drug Inspector examination after a paper leak came to light. Aspirants have also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the evaluation of the state services exam. The protests intensified after aspirants demanded accountability from the commission. During a recent meeting with a delegation of competitive exam aspirants, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had agreed to the demand for the transfer of the MPSC secretary.Meanwhile, students continued their Satyagraha in Pune, demanding the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. “Bhimanwar must resign,” protesting students said. MLA Rohit Pawar, Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, Pune city Congress president Prashant Jagtap, former corporator Rupali Patil-Thombre and Congress group leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation Chandu Sheth Kadam visited the protest site.The leaders spoke to the protesting students, heard their concerns and expressed support for their demands. The students have said they will continue the agitation until action is taken on their remaining demands.
