ATRE 2018: Students protest, jump in Gomti river post irregularities came to light

Yogi Aditynath-led government has instituted a high-level committee to probe the alleged irregularities in the Assistant Teacher Recruitment Examination 2018 (ATRE 2018). The ATRE was to fill 68,500 vacant posts of teachers in government primary schools. More than one lakh aspirants had appeared in the exam, whose results were declared in August. However, only 41,556 could clear it. According to the report by HT, the scam blew up in the third week of August when a candidate filed in the writ petition in the Allahabad high court claiming that the answer sheet was replaced. A government spokesperson said, "In this examination, a list of 23 examinees was obtained, who had not cleared the examination, but were declared as qualified."

The aspirants have alleged corruption in the recruitment process and have started protesting against the irregularities. Prima facie also suggests that there are serious irregularities in evaluation and declaration of results. The spokesperson said in a statement that more investigation is needed so that exemplary punishment can be given to the guilty.

Meanwhile, taking cognisance of irregularities in the recruitment exam UP Yogi Adityanath has constituted a high-level team. The team will probe the irregularities and submit its report in seven days, the spokesperson said. The chief minister has also instructed to suspend Examination Regulatory Authority Secretary Sutta Singh with immediate effect, as prima facie she has been found guilty, the spokesperson said.

Instructions have also been issued to initiate disciplinary action against her and she has been attached with the office of the director of Basic Education. The government spokesperson said the probe committee will be headed by Sanjay R Bhoosreddy, principal secretary, sugar industry and sugarcane development.

The exam was conducted on May 27, 2018. The exam was held at 248 centres spread across 18 divisions of UP. The first district allocation list for counselling was announced on August 31, 2018 while second district allocation list for counselling was declared on September 2, 2018.