Ajay Maken Slams Maharashtra Government Over 70,000 Job Vacancies

On October 3, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken publicly criticized the Maharashtra government for leaving more than 70,000 government positions vacant and for the delays in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination process. This situation has significant implications for students who are eager to advance their careers. Maken made these remarks while supporting students protesting in Pune, emphasizing that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed his solidarity with their demands for immediate recruitment to fill these vacant posts.

Maken highlighted that the figure of 70,000 vacancies was confirmed by the Maharashtra government itself, referencing a press note from the Chief Minister that stated recruitment would commence soon. He pointed out that as of October, students are still waiting for action, stating, "70,000 government posts stay empty, while students lose another year." The students' coordination committee has been actively protesting, utilizing Gandhi’s Satyagraha platform to voice their concerns directly.

The delays at the MPSC have been particularly troubling, with Maken noting that the results for the State Services Main Examination 2025 are still pending. The Commission had initially scheduled the 2026 examination to begin on October 3 but postponed it without announcing a new date, further frustrating students. Maken remarked, "Every postponed exam is a year a graduate does not get back," underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In a related development, Rahul Gandhi called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to implement reforms within the MPSC, advocating for greater transparency in the examination process. He referred to the institution as having been "hijacked" and cited various grievances raised by students during the "Chhatron ki Goonj" event in Pune, including issues such as paper leaks, stalled recruitment, and inadequate educational facilities. Gandhi stated, "I had urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reform the MPSC, make the examination process transparent, and listen to these students."

The Maharashtra Competitive Examination Coordination Committee has initiated a Satyagraha as part of their protest efforts, with support from the Youth Congress and NSUI. Gandhi pledged to continue advocating for the students until their demands are met, stating, "The institution that shapes the students’ future has been hijacked. We will not allow this to continue." Protests have erupted across Pune and other regions in Maharashtra, with MPSC aspirants demanding the resignation of the MPSC chairman and secretary following allegations of a paper leak in the Drug Inspector examination.