Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday defended the State government’s decision to appoint two retired Army officers to the public employment bodies, but said he was hurt by the “casteist remarks” made by one of them. The remarks of Lt. Col. (retired) Kesari Singh went viral on social media after his appointment recently.
Lt. Col. (retired) Singh was among the three members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission appointed shortly before the Model Code of Conduct for the November 25 State Assembly election came into force earlier this week. Besides, Major General Alok Raj was appointed chairman of the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board.
Mr. Gehlot said both the former Army officers were appointed with a view to maintaining credibility of institutions in the wake of the recent incidents of papers leaks during the government recruitment examinations. However, a similar situation prevailed in several States and the papers were leaked even in the Army and judiciary, he said.
