Mumbai : Maharashtra Public Service Commission has postponed the State Service Pre-Examination to be held on March 14, 2021. The decision has been taken against the backdrop of increasing COVID-19 cases in the state. Earlier, the pre-service state service examination on October 11, 2020 was postponed due to the aggressive stance taken by Maratha organizations on the Maratha reservation issue.
Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, Maharashtra ruling party, Shiv Sena in its editorial on Wednesday (March 10) warned the citizens, once again, of another lockdown. The Relief and Rehabilitation Department announced the decision in a circular. Earlier the examination was to take place in April last year but was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan questioned the wisdom of the decision. He said if the government can permit weddings, hold budget session and conduct exams for the health department, then it is wrong to cancel the MPSC examination.
It was injustice to the candidates, the former Chief Minister said, adding, “How much longer they should prepare for MPSC? If the government can allow other events, it should not apply a different yardstick for MPSC.” BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis demanded that the decision be reversed. “The exams have been pushed forward already and it would result in the loss of opportunity for many students who invest their best years in preparation,” he tweeted. Late evening CM Uddhav Thackeray addressed the state and assured the MPSC exam will take place within a week and the date would be announced on the next day. Meanwhile MPSC students and youth congress wing started protests at Pune and Mumbai. Students on large scale came on the roads
