Uttar Pradesh Passes Ordinance Introducing Stringent Punishment On Paper Leaks (Photo @sohranpal)
As the entrance examinations of the country is under scrutiny following the alleged violation of integrity, the Uttar Pradesh government on June 25 gave approval to an ordinance to avert paper leaks and the use of unfair means in the examinations. The government introduced severe punishment for the individuals involved in such practices, promising to curb the gangs.
The Yogi Aditya Nath-led BJP government’s ordinance covers examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, Uttar Pradesh Subordinates Service Selection Board, Uttar Pradesh Board, state universities, and authorities, bodies, or agencies nominated by them. Chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath has suggested the implementation of the strict law to ensure exam transparency after the Lok Sabha elections.
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Announcing the ordinance, the chief minister in his X post wrote that those who make malicious attempts to play with the future of the youth will not be spared at any cost. “Your government knows how to deal strictly with such anarchist elements. We are fully committed to ensuring transparency, fairness and confidentiality in examinations. This important ordinance passed in the meeting of the Council of Ministers is a glimpse of it,” a rough translation of his post reads.
युवाओं के भविष्य से खिलवाड़ करने का कुत्सित प्रयास करने वाले किसी भी कीमत पर बख्शे नहीं जाएंगे।
आपकी सरकार ऐसे अराजक तत्वों के साथ सख्ती से निपटना जानती है।
परीक्षाओं में पारदर्शिता, शुचिता और गोपनीयता की सुनिश्चितता के लिए हम पूरी तरह प्रतिबद्ध हैं।
मंत्रिपरिषद की बैठक में… https://t.co/SIxDuI8Y21
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) June 26, 2024
The ordinance comes on the heels of increasing debate over the mismanagement of the examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NDA government is also facing public wrath over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the cancellation of the National Eligibility Test (NET).
However, the new ordinance passed includes tougher measures against examination frauds such as paper leaks. It mentions that the people involved in the paper leak will have to face jail terms ranging from two years to life imprisonment and huge fines of up to Rs 1 crore. The ordinance also includes provisions for the attachment of properties of those found in the malpractice.
In addition, the distribution of fake question papers and fake employment websites has also been made punishable under the Ordinance.
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The offences under the new ordinance have also been made cognizable and non-bailable, and the financial losses caused by the exam cancellation will be recovered from the persons involved in the crime.
The ordinance also states that the service providers and institutions will be blacklisted forever if found any role in the foul play affecting the integrity of the examination.
