Bihar Public Service Commission apologises for 'Is Governor a mere puppet?' exam question, blacklists paper setter

Expressing regret over the controversial question regarding the role of the governor in politics, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Monday, has issued a public apology stating that the question regarding a constitutional post was set in a wrong manner. The autonomous body added that the person responsible has been blacklisted and such questions will not be asked in exam papers again. The letter was signed by the joint secretary of the BPSC.

The letter reads:

"In the 64th joint main (written) competitive exams, on 14.07.2019 in the general knowledge section-II's question paper had a question framed wrongly with respect to a constitutional post. On behalf of the commission, taking responsibility that particular question setter has been blacklisted thus prohibiting him from setting future question papers. Additionally, the commission expresses regret for the same and it will not happen in the future."

Here is the letter issued by BPSC:

Earlier on Sunday, the BPSC's mains exam paper had posed a question to applicants asking 'Critically examine the role of Governor in the State politics in India, particularly in Bihar. Is he a mere puppet?'

CONTROVERSIAL: Bihar Public Service Commission Asks 'Is Governor A Mere Puppet?' In Exam Paper, Furore Erupts Across Party Lines

Furore across party lines

This has caused a big furore across all party lines in the state, as per sources. State education minister K. N. Prasad Verma has stated that while the issue was not concerning his department, it was unfortunate such a question was posed and has said that he would be inquiring into the issue as  'anyone would feel bad, irrespective of which party he belongs to.'

Meanwhile, Bihar water resources minister Sanjay Jha has categorically denied the state government's involvement in an autonomous body like BPSC. He also condemned the question saying that BPSC could not 'ask any question they want'. 

"BPSC is an autonomous body and has its own procedures, It must take care in the future that such questions are not repeated. The government does not interfere in BPSC's exam procedures. Autonomous does not mean that you can ask anything. They should have respected the post of the governor and not asked such a question," he said.

In contrast, Opposition RJD MLA from Maner - Bhai Virendra, has slammed the BPSC saying:

"It seems some illiterate has prepared the questions. This has crossed all limits. The governor has been humiliated. The person who prepared the question should be taken to task."

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BPSC and its role

The BPSC which is an autonomous government body created under the Constitution of India in 1965, deals with the recruitment for civil service jobs and promotion of civil servants through the Departmental Promotion Committee. It submits an annual report of the work done by the Commission to the Governor of Bihar.