After his suspension two months back over the HSSC exam question row, Bharat Bhushan Bharti, chairman of Haryana Staff Selection Commission has been re-instated by the Manohar lal Khattar Government on Tuesday.
In a move to appease the Brahmin community who were upset over a question asked by HSSC in the junior engineer (JE) recruitment exam, the State Government had on May 17 suspended HSSC chairperson and constituted an inquiry commission.
“The Governor of Haryana is pleased to re-instate the services of Bharat Bhushan Bharti, chairman, Haryana Staff Selection Commission with immediate effect, keeping in view the inquiry report submitted to the State Government by Justice Darshan Singh Inquiry Commission,” stated the orders issued by Chief Secretary’s office.
Sources said that Justice Darshan Singh Inquiry Commission in his report has held exam provider and examiner responsible for the controversial question. Further, the Commission has recommended preventive measures to be taken by HSSC in future examinations to ensure transparency and prevent such mistakes.
After receiving the report, the Chief Secretary’s office has advised Secretary, HSSC to take appropriate action against the confidential CBT exam provider and their examiner as per terms and condition of contract.
The question paper given to the applicants on April 10 for recruitment as junior engineer for Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had a controversial question about ‘sign of a bad omen prevalent in Haryana’. The options had included: seeing an empty pitcher, a casket full of fuel, meeting with a black Brahmin or sight of a Brahmin girl.
Commenting on revoking of the suspension by the government, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, "As expected, Chief Minister Khattar's favourite, gets clean chit".
Haryana’s Indian National lok Dal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also condemned the State Government for revoking the suspension of BB Bharti.