Minister Indrakaran Reddy draws flak for saying such leaks are ‘common’

Adilabad: Telangana's Minister for Forest and Endowment, Allola Indrakaran Reddy, drew sharp criticism on Tuesday as he made light of the TSPSC question paper leak in the state. He dismissed questions on this by saying “such leaks are common.”

This has hurt the feelings of lakhs of unemployed youths who had taken the exams and later found the examinations were cancelled due to a question paper leak. Many who are preparing for the TSPSC exams are also upset over the casual attitude of the government to such a serious issue.

Addressing the media in Nirmal, the minister said, “Paper leakages are common from Intermediate and SSC examinations onwards. Paper leak happens in various ways. How can the opposition leaders link the paper leak issue to IT minister KT Rama Rao and how can they demand pulling up of chief minister KCR over this?”

He asked, “What is the wrong in the special investigation team (SIT) investigating the TSPSC questions papers leakage, issuing a notice to TPCC president Revanth Reddy, who accused KTR of being responsible for the question paper leakage?”

“How can Revanth Reddy make allegations without any evidence against KTR, like saying that many candidates who got more than 100 marks in Group-1 Prelims were from a village that is the native place of KTR’s personal assistant, Tirupati,” the minister asked.

SIT has asked Revanth Reddy to appear before it with evidence in support of his allegations against KTR.

The minister also criticised BJP state president Bandi Sanjay for making “meaningless comments” against BRS leaders “without any proof”, and he described Sanjay’s allegations as rubbish.

Later, in a statement, the minister said the comments he made in connection with the question paper leak were “distorted” by a section of the media. He made amends by saying the question paper leak was unfortunate.

Meanhile, CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka said Indrakararan Reddy made irresponsible comments. “The state government should have removed the TSPSC secretary and its members and some of the ministers, following the question paper leak. The minister’s statements are a proof that the state government is acting irresponsibly on this issue,” he said.

Bhatti asked, “Why should anyone furnish proof when the state government itself admitted that the question paper leak took place. The government should have taken steps to prevent question paper leaks.”