MPSC Reform Committee Tukaram Mundhe: 5-Member Panel Announced by Maharashtra
MPSC reform committee Tukaram Mundhe – In a significant move aimed at restoring trust in the state’s recruitment processes, the Maharashtra government has constituted a five-member high-level committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The panel, announced on Sunday, October 12, will also recommend sweeping reforms to the examination and recruitment system.
The decision came after a sustained 10-day protest by MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune, which concluded late on Sunday night following assurances from the state government.
Panel Composition and Mandate
The inquiry committee will be chaired by former Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale. Senior IAS officer and current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has been appointed as the panel’s secretary.
The other members of the committee include:
- IPS officer Laxmi Gautam
- Former IAS officer Ganesh Patil
- Retired judge P.D. Naik
The panel has been tasked with probing alleged examination irregularities, including paper leaks, and examining the overall functioning of the MPSC under both current and past chairpersons and members. The committee is expected to submit its report within 60 days.
Why Tukaram Mundhe’s Appointment Matters
The inclusion of the MPSC reform committee Tukaram Mundhe as secretary is being seen as a crucial concession. Aspirants had specifically demanded the appointment of a trusted officer like Mundhe, citing his reputation for integrity and decisive action in previous postings. His appointment was a key factor in ending the agitation.
Mundhe has clarified that he will continue to serve as full-time FDA Commissioner. His role on the MPSC panel is additional and does not involve a transfer or relief from his existing responsibilities related to food safety and drug regulation.
MPSC Chairman Goes on Leave
Fulfilling another major demand of the protesters, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced that he would proceed on leave until the inquiry is completed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated: “Throughout my entire life, I have always prioritised ethics. Therefore, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post.”
He has not been removed from the constitutional post.
Government Assurances Beyond the Inquiry
State minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, who met the protesting aspirants, conveyed that several other demands would be addressed. These include:
- Withdrawal of cases registered against some protest representatives
- Recruitment to around 70,000 posts over the next three years
- Increase in the number of seats/vacancies for the Group C examination scheduled for January
- Background checks on the MPSC chairman and secretary before future appointments
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who supported the agitation, welcomed Mundhe’s inclusion and expressed hope that the committee would be allowed to function independently.
The MPSC reform committee Tukaram Mundhe has also been assured that the government will conduct background checks on future MPSC chairpersons and secretaries before their appointments .This move is aimed at preventing similar controversies in the future and ensuring that only individuals with clean records are entrusted with key positions in the recruitment body.
What Lies Ahead
For thousands of young aspirants across Maharashtra, the credibility of the MPSC has been under question for some time. The formation of this independent-looking panel, with a well-regarded officer like Tukaram Mundhe in a key coordinating role, is being viewed as a meaningful attempt to restore confidence in the recruitment process.
The real test, however, will lie in the quality of the committee’s findings and how swiftly the government acts on both the inquiry report and the broader recruitment promises it has made.
(Source: Official government announcements and local news reports)
Also read : SUPPORT GROWS FOR MPSC PROTEST IN PUNE
