Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has recommended a committee to examine the functioning of former and incumbent chairpersons and members of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) amid allegations of examination paper leaks and irregularities.

The recommendation has been sent to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma under Article 317 of the Constitution, which deals with the removal and suspension of chairpersons and members of public service commissions. The proposed panel will be headed by a retired High Court judge and is expected to submit its report within three months. Further action will be considered based on its findings.

The move comes amid a continuing protest by MPSC aspirants in Pune, who have been demanding the resignation of commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. The agitation entered its sixth day on Tuesday, October 6, and has received support from political leaders and organisations across party lines.

The proposed inquiry follows a September 30 meeting between Fadnavis and a delegation of protesting aspirants. The government subsequently announced that a judicial inquiry would examine the functioning of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has terminated the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar amid the controversy. Students had demanded action against both Harpalkar and Bhimanwar.

The government has maintained that the MPSC chairman holds a constitutional position and cannot be removed through the procedure applicable to ordinary government officials. The proposed panel is expected to provide a formal mechanism to examine the commission’s functioning and determine whether further action is warranted.