Guwahati, Jun 21: The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced on Saturday that the state will appeal to the Supreme Court against a recent decision by the Gauhati High Court. This ruling mandates the reinstatement of 52 officials who were dismissed due to their involvement in the cash-for-job scandal linked to the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

Sarma expressed that the high court's decision is "painful," especially as the government is focused on ensuring that recruitment is based solely on merit.

On Friday, the Gauhati High Court ordered the reinstatement of 52 out of 57 civil, police, and allied service officials from the 2013 and 2014 batches who were implicated in the cash-for-job scandal. The court instructed that these officials, who have completed their probation, be reinstated within 50 days, while allowing the state government to refrain from assigning them duties for the next 30 days and to conduct necessary departmental inquiries.

Speaking to reporters during an International Day of Yoga event in Baksa, Sarma stated, "The judgement by the division bench regarding the APSC case is disappointing and has caused us concern." He emphasized that this ruling comes at a time when the state is committed to merit-based hiring.

"I have not reviewed the judgement in detail, but based on what I have seen in the media, if accurate, it is regrettable," Sarma remarked.

He confirmed, "We will certainly appeal to the Supreme Court and will make every effort to prevent the reinstatement of anyone who obtained their position through unethical means."

The cash-for-jobs scandal involving the APSC was uncovered in 2016, leading to the arrest of over 70 individuals, including former chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and 57 civil service officials during the investigation.