Karnataka CM weighs closing KPSC amid recruitment scam

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the government is exploring the legal feasibility of shutting down the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) following allegations of widespread recruitment irregularities, including a job-for-money scam involving 400 veterinary officer posts. The Economic Times and The Hindu report that Shivakumar admitted closing a constitutional body would not be easy, but said he was consulting experts. He called those involved in the scam 'crooks' and 'thieves', and said the officials the government trusted and appointed transparently had betrayed that trust.

The Karnataka High Court has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DGP Alok Kumar to probe the veterinary officer recruitment case. The CID has traced a Rs 92 lakh money trail, questioned 40 candidates, and alleged that 60 to 80 questions per paper were leaked before the exam, according to India Today. Shivakumar welcomed the SIT but expressed displeasure that the state was not given a say in choosing its officers. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said lakhs of youth had lost faith in the system and criticised the Congress government for inaction, as reported by India Today.