Southern States - Karnataka   

10 debarred from KPSC examination

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE JAN. 21. The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has debarred 10 candidates, including the Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies, K. Rameshwarappa, and his three relatives, from appearing in its competitive examination for government service.

The Commission has cancelled their candidature for the Gazetted Probationers' Group A and B Examination, 1998. The move comes after the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) ordered fresh evaluation of answer scripts of the Main Examination. (The High Court of Karnataka subsequently modified the order).

This was done after the KPSC found that the candidates, with the alleged help of the then KPSC Secretary, A.K. Monnappa (now Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada), the Chief Examiner, K.S. Shivanna, and first valuators, K. Subramanya Bhat and Veerabhadraiah, had manipulated the evaluation of answer scripts of the 1998 Main Examination.

Besides Mr. Rameshwarappa, his brother-in-law, B.S. Nagaraj, sisters-in-law, B.S. Triveni, and B.S. Hemalatha, the candidates involved are M. Leela, K.C. Ponnappa, P.C. Naveen, K.R. Pratap, N.T. Cauveriappa, and K.G. Subhash.

The Commission's order on Saturday said that the KPSC was not empowered to initiate disciplinary action against Mr. Monnappa and Mr. Rameshwarappa as the former was in the IAS cadre at present and the latter in the State Civil Service cadre. It said the Commission had recommended to the Government to initiate action against the two and had furnished the documents in support of it.

The recommendation of the Chief Secretary for disciplinary action against the two is pending with the Chief Minister.

The Commission had issued show cause notices to the candidates, and except Mr. Cauveriappa, in their replies, they pleaded not guilty. They were called to appear before the Commission on December 20. However, only Mr. Pratap, Mr. Naveen and Mr. Ponnappa, appeared on that day, and the case was adjourned to December 26. However, on that day too, those who appeared on December 26, and Ms. Leela, appeared before the Commission. Mr. Rameshwarappa and his relatives did not turn up.

Mr. Rameshwarappa, the order said, sent a fax message stating that a group of protesting candidates, who had gathered outside the Commission, was posing a threat to his life and he could not attend the proceedings. However, he did not seek any adjournment nor did he appear before the KPSC, the Commission noted. The order said that despite the opportunity given to Mr. Rameshwarappa and others they did not appear before it.

In their replies, Mr. Rameshwarappa and his relatives questioned the validity of the show cause notice. Regarding the charge of copying, they said that it might be because of their "combined study.'' They denied the charge that they took the help of Mr. Monnappa.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• 10 debarred from KPSC examination
• Many seek Cong. ticket for Humnabad bypoll
• New policy to recruit doctors likely
• Transport management to be improved
• Utilise skills, ex-Defence personnel told
• Statements: KPCC warns Congmen
• State vying with Maharashtra to play host to Wine Board
• Bio-fuels, a greener alternative to diesel
• HC issues notice to Govt.

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu