Fadnavis: strict action on MPSC exam irregularities, no room for politics

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking to the media while attending the Marbat festival in Nagpur, said plainly that those trying to serve their own interests under the cover of students' problems would not get a chance to do so. On alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams, he said the government has a positive approach towards students' concerns.

Fadnavis said strict action would be taken against those found guilty of irregularities in the exams. He said some people were trying to give the students' issue a political colour to further their own political interests. He warned that those who were only doing politics, rather than genuinely concerned about students' difficulties, would not be given any such chance.

He said a meeting held on Thursday on this issue saw positive discussion on several matters. The government will take a tough stand against those responsible for irregularities in the exams, the guilty will be sent to jail, and necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future. Changes will also be made to make the exam process more transparent. Fadnavis said the government is taking positive steps in this matter keeping students' interests in mind.

On the Marbat festival, Fadnavis said the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has this year tried to link this old tradition with tourism to take it to the world. He praised the initiative of inviting foreign guests to give the Marbat festival a global look. He said it was heartening that foreign guests were showing interest in this traditional Nagpur festival. According to him, these foreign guests are ambassadors of their own countries, but can also become ambassadors of India. He expressed hope that this would, going forward, help promote global trade and cultural exchange.

Fadnavis also responded to Manoj Jarange Patil's warning of an agitation in Mumbai. He said he expected that anyone who reveres Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would not create any disturbance during Hindu festivals or Ganeshotsav. Saying he wished all the "ida-pida" (troubles and afflictions) of the common people of Maharashtra to be removed, Fadnavis first prayed for the state's drought distress to end. He said the tradition of the Marbat festival began with the same thought of removing all the "ida-pida" of society.