5 years imprisonment, Rs. 10 lakh fine… Shinde government brought bill regarding paper leak

While the CBI is investigating the NEET question paper leak, the Maharashtra government has taken a drastic decision. The Eknath Shinde government of the state has introduced a bill to prevent malpractices in competitive examinations. The main objective of this bill is to prevent malpractices in competitive examinations. The Bill provides for a jail term of up to 5 years for those involved in paper leaks or irregularities. Minister Samburaj Desai introduced the 'Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024' Bill in the Assembly. According to the bill, offenses related to competitive examinations are cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. Those involved in unfair means and crimes in competitive examinations shall be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of three years. This can be extended to five years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Failure to pay the fine will attract additional imprisonment under the Indian Judiciary Act 2023. The Bill includes provisions to avoid disruption in the conduct of competitive examinations, fixing the duties of question setters, empowering officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police to investigate offences. CBI has camped in two states from Bihar to Gujarat in the NEET question paper leak case. One CBI team is stationed in Bihar's capital Patna and another in Gujarat's Godhra. CBI has arrested many people so far. The principal and vice-principal of Oasis School in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand have also been arrested by the CBI. In connection with this issue, the Supreme Court is also investigating the leak of the paper. The Ministry of Education filed the affidavit in this regard on Friday. In it, it is clarified that the government and its institutions are committed to conduct all competitive examinations in a fair and transparent manner. Keeping the question papers secret is the biggest priority of the government considering the exams. The government has said that those who violate the confidentiality of the question papers are guilty. The government will take full force of law and punish them.