KPSC scam: Entire govt machinery involved, alleges Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the entire Karnataka government machinery of involvement in the KPSC recruitment scam. He cited a missing IAS officer, while HD Kumaraswamy demanded the resignation of state Home Minister Priyank Kharge.

Pralhad Joshi Alleges Government Complicity

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday alleged that the entire state government "machinery was involved" in the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam, claiming that the DK Shivakumar-led government was responsible for the irregularities in government job recruitments.

Speaking to reporters here, Joshi said, "Who is responsible for the fraud in government jobs? The government is responsible for it. The government is a partner in it because they cannot even find an IAS officer who is absconding. This means that the entire government machinery is involved in this."

Targeting the Congress, he further alleged, "If the officer gets taken into ED or CID custody, then the entire government's scandal will come out. Today the Congress government is in a very serious situation, and there is no stability in the Congress government."

Joshi's remarks came amid the alleged disappearance of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar following an Enforcement Directorate (ED) search of his Bengaluru residence in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment of veterinary officers. As part of the probe, the agency had earlier searched the premises of former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and several veterinary officers. Sahukar had earlier been suspended on the orders of Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over allegations that he used a fake income certificate to secure a government job for his daughter. The suspension was later stayed by the Karnataka High Court, which ordered his reinstatement.

Kumaraswamy Demands Minister's Resignation

Meanwhile, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge. Kumaraswamy said, "I am observing what has been happening in Karnataka for the last several days because of the Karnataka Public Service Commission episode, where a youngster made an allegation that for the post of Veterinary Doctor, they had fixed Rs 80 lakh to get an appointment and to succeed in the KPSC process."

He added that the Enforcement Directorate had conducted raids at several locations over the past week in connection with the alleged irregularities. (ANI)

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