Shillong, July 26: The Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC)’s decision to reassess OMR answer sheets of over 63 candidates appearing in the Meghalaya Civil Services (Prelims) Examination 2022 & 2023 have stoked a huge controversy in the State with the opposition AITC calling for transparency and demanding independent inquiry into what it has termed as ‘criminal conspiracy’.

Leader of the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and former chief minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said, “Under which provision of rule has this been allowed – there’s no such rule which allows such review because if the authority has agreed that there were irregularities in respect of questions vis-à-vis the syllabus then the exam process is flawed and irregular.”

“This whole process smacks of nepotism and is completely illegal. A criminal conspiracy to give effect to benefit selected few cannot be ruled out therefore requires investigation,” he demanded.

This came after a notification was issued by the MPSC chairman on July 23 informing about an additional list with roll no. and that the written examination (mains) is tentatively fixed with effect from September 23, 2024.

“On receiving of representation from a candidate with regard to the question(s) appearing in the Meghalaya Civil Services (P) Examination 2022 & 2023 held on November 4, 2023, the questions were placed before an Expert for review. Based on the recommendation of the Expert, the OMR Answer Sheets were reassessed and the candidates bearing the following Roll Nos, are declared to be successful in addition to Result declared earlier vide Notification…dated 15th December, 2023. It may be noted that since confining the fresh selection to the appellant alone would be unfair, as other candidates may be deprived on account of ignorance and hence, applying the doctrine of equality, all Answer Sheets were reassessed and the instant list of successful candidates securing the cut-off marks has been arrived at,” stated the MPSC notification.

In a statement, AITC’s state youth president Richard Marak said that the MPSC’s decision to reassess OMR answer sheets has sparked widespread controversy.

“As a concerned citizen, I strongly condemn this unprecedented move, which threatens to undermine the integrity of our examination processes,” he said while adding “How can OMR sheets, once considered tamper-proof, be reassessed after seven months? What criteria were used to select candidates for reassessment, and were they adhered to? Who benefits from this move? And most importantly, who ordered this reassessment? These questions demand immediate answers.”

He further asked, “What about the hardworking candidates who studied day and night to pass the prelims? Have they been ‘left high and dry’ by this re-assessment? Don’t they deserve ‘a level playing field’?”

Further, he said the AITC demands full transparency in the reassessment process. “A comprehensive explanation of how the reassessment was carried out, including any deviations from established guidelines and the reasons for those deviations.”

Also demanding disclosure of decision-makers, Marak said, “Transparency regarding who authorized and directed the reassessment to ensure no undue influence was involved.”

He said that the party also demands formation of an independent review panel to oversee the reassessment process besides strengthening internal controls by ensuring improvement and enforcement of internal procedures and guidelines to ensure fairness and prevent similar issues in the future.

“The people of Meghalaya deserve better. We urge the MPSC to come clean and provide truthful answers. We demand transparency, accountability, and justice,” he said.

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