By Alok Mathur
Babu Lal Katara, member of Rajasthan Public Service Commission was arrested for his alleged involvement in the infamous teachers' recruitment paper leak case in April 2023. Since then he has been in lodged jail but his name still decorates the website of the board in the name of ‘constitution immunity'. It sounds strange but fact it is that the highest recruitment body of the state is not able to get rid of its tainted member in the name of procedural delay.
“Since RPSC is the constitutional body. Only President of India can terminate services. The state government has sent its recommendation to the president through Governor's office. Now it's up to President's office to execute the termination,” said a senior government official.
Meanwhile, since Katara is in jail, RPSC should have removed his name from the member's list to give a message as it is quite evident that the integrity of Katara is under suspicion.
“Name might not have been removed as police is investigating role of chairman as well as other members also. The chairman of RPSC Sanjay Shrotriya, who is a retired IPS worked closely with the chief minister Ashok Gehlot, has also been called for questioning twice by the police,” said a bureaucrat.
The other members of the RPSC board are – Manju Sharma, wife of poet Kumar Vishwas, Jaswant Singh Rathi a freelance journalist and Sangeeta Arya, wife of former chief secretary Niranjan Arya.
“None of the members have considerable contribution in their respective field. It seems the posts have been offered to them purely on their lineage,” said a senior official.
The Special Operation Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police, which is investigating the paper leak case found confirmed link of Katara in the leak. His driver and nephew were also found. The SOG recovered a cash of Rs 52 lakh and 541 gram of gold jewellery from the house of Katara in Dungarpur.
Katara was appointed as member in the board October 15, 2020 and would have served complete six years till 2026. Before joining RPSC, Katara was director with the planning department of the state government.
“As he had no such credential to be on this to post. Unfortunately, postings in the board historically had been political. He is also being looked upon as a ‘sifarishi' appointee. You can easily imagine what an undeserving person can do to spoil this position?” asks an official who had worked with Katara in planning department.
Alok Mathur is a law graduate. Journalism is his first love which he now pursues in the latter half of his career. Controversies and crime are the right triggers for him.
