Patna: The state government has refused to give age relaxation to Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants.

Since the BPSC exams had not been held for over a decade during the Lalu Prasad era, the Nitish Kumar government after coming to power has been clubbing three-year exams into a single exam for three consecutive times.

So, 53rd to 55th BPSC exams was clubbed into one, 56th to 59th was clubbed in another and 60th to 62nd were clubbed together.

BJP MLA Arun Kumar wanted the government to give age relaxation of eight years pointing out that candidates eligible a decade ago had lost opportunities and many of them have passed the maximum eligible age of 35.

Arun added that in several states such as UP and Chhattisgarh, age relaxations have been given for delayed public service entrance exams.

Minister Shrawan Kumar, however, turned down the request made in the Assembly by Arun on Wednesday.

He said there was no bar in the number of times the candidates can sit in the exams and besides the clubbing of exams has led to filling up of larger number of seats and more opportunities for the candidates.

He added that the decision to club the exams had been done in the interest of the candidates.

He pointed out that the last date for submission of forms for the 63rd exam had expired on December 17 and it was not possible to bring in amendments.

In reply to another question by Samir Kumar Mahaseth of the RJD on the alleged lathicharge on journalists and candidates of Bihar Police Subordinate Service Commission in Patna on March 11, the minister denied any lathicharge.

The candidates were protesting against alleged leak of question papers. The minister said there was no complaint received by the government on any lathicharge and anyone getting injured.

He, however, did admit some bickering by agitators. The minister denied there was leak of question papers.