DYFI alleges attempt to undermine Assam Public Service Commission ‘scam’ probe report

GUWAHATI

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Thursday (March 5, 2026) alleged that the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government was undermining the report of a judicial panel that probed the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) ‘cash-for-jobs scam’.

The government recently tabled an action taken report (ATR) in the 126-member Assembly, nearly three years after it made the report of the Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma-headed inquiry commission public, DYFI leaders told reporters.

According to DYFI State secretary Nirankush Nath, the ATR exposed the government’s “double standards” in dealing with the ‘scam’.

‘Evidence found’

He said the panel found evidence of widespread corruption in the recruitment process and recommended cancellation of the entire selection. “However, several officials identified by the commission as accused continue to hold senior administrative posts,” the DYFI said in a statement.

It also accused a section of “selected” candidates of attempting to mislead the courts by suppressing facts and questioning the legality of the commission’s report.

The organisation also criticised the government’s legal handling of the case. It pointed out that a five-member high-level committee led by former Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua had been formed to examine the commission’s report. Other members of the committee included former Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta.

“Even after such scrutiny, action against those identified by the commission has been inadequate. Instead of dismissal, many accused officials were merely suspended and continue to draw 75% of their salaries,” the DYFI said.

It also expressed concern over the government’s alleged reluctance to make the “crucial” second volume of the commission’s report public.

Citing the case of Priyanka Deka, the DYFI said that her petition in the Gauhati High Court refers to a commission order issued on August 9, 2021, allowing candidates with discrepancies in their answer scripts to examine relevant documents.

“A notice issued to Ms. Deka on August 13, 2021, clearly stated that she could inspect the answer scripts, forensic reports, and tabulation sheets at the commission office during working hours,” the organisation said.

The DYFI said that Ms. Deka authorised her husband, Bikash Talukdar, to verify the documents. The latter visited the commission’s office on August 18, 2021, examined the materials, and signed a verification slip acknowledging that the inspection was done “as per the notice”.

Citing the commission’s report, the DYFI said Mr. Talukdar visited the office of the panel with a lawyer to review the documents. After examining the materials, Ms Deka submitted her reply to the commission on August 23, 2021.

“Despite this, it has been argued in court that the candidate was only issued a notice and was not given access to relevant documents,” the DYFI alleged, describing the claim as “completely false”.