The Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) has stated that the recruitment process for sub-inspector positions will resume after the ongoing crime branch investigation concludes and the individuals behind the alleged conspiracy are brought to justice.
The written examination for the combined police service exams 2024, which aimed to fill 933 sub-inspector vacancies, was initially slated for October 5 and 6. However, it was postponed by the OPRB on September 30, following the arrest of approximately 119 individuals, including 114 aspiring candidates, by Berhampur Police near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border.
An official statement from the OPRB assured all candidates that the recruitment process would be resumed and completed as swiftly as possible once the crime branch’s investigation reaches its conclusion.
The OPRB, under the leadership of senior IPS officer S K Nath, believes a “deliberate conspiracy” was orchestrated to disrupt the government’s recruitment drive. This suspicion is reinforced by the large number of arrests made in connection with the case.
Authorities apprehended the candidates while they were en route to an undisclosed location in Andhra Pradesh, reportedly to receive question papers ahead of the examinations. This incident has led officials to conclude that a conspiracy was indeed at play to sabotage the recruitment process.
The conspirators’ aim appears to be the stalling or delaying of recruitment drives conducted by various agencies. The OPRB has noted that at least three external agencies were involved in the sub-inspector recruitment process, in addition to the board itself. The examination conduct was initially outsourced to ITI Limited, a central public sector undertaking, which in turn subcontracted the work to a Bhubaneswar-based private company, Silicon Limited. Silicon Limited then engaged Panchsoft Limited, a Berhampur-based firm, for assistance.
The OPRB stated that it was not informed about ITI Limited’s decision to involve Panchsoft Limited in the process. Consequently, the OPRB has issued a show-cause notice to ITI Limited for failing to meet its contractual obligations, emphasizing that ITI was responsible for overseeing all major activities, including question paper framing and printing, regardless of any subcontracting.
The crime branch is currently investigating the role of the manpower supplier, with its director, Shankar Prusty, identified as a prime suspect.
Explaining why the OPRB did not conduct the examination internally, an official mentioned that the board is a small organization with limited staff, making it necessary to engage external PSUs like ITI Limited, which possess the required expertise.
The OPRB concluded by stressing the importance of identifying the true masterminds behind this episode, who not only sabotaged the examination but also attempted to create confusion and derail recruitment efforts in Odisha. Their actions are viewed as a betrayal of the state’s youth and warrant exposure and punishment.