Modi government’s big action on paper leak, cabinet approves bill for 10 years jail and ₹10 crore fine

Tezzbuzz Desk- The central government has taken a big step towards strict action on paper leak cases. The Paper Leak Amendment Bill was approved in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Under the proposed law, a provision of up to 10 years of jail and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore has been made for those found guilty of paper leak. Also, such cases will be heard in the fast track court, which will have to give its verdict within three months.

This approval of the Cabinet has come at a time when students are continuously protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding paper leak and improvement in the examination system. The government says the new amendment aims to bring transparency in the examination system and ensure strict action against organized paper leak gangs.

According to the information, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will present this amendment bill in Parliament on Monday. The Bill proposes to make the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 more stringent.

What changes will there be in the existing law?

Under the current law, there is a provision of 3 to 5 years of jail and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for individual culprits in cases of paper leak or use of unfair means in the examination. At the same time, a maximum fine of Rs 1 crore can be imposed on the service provider agencies conducting the examination. There is already a provision for imprisonment of 5 to 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore in cases of organized crime.

These provisions have been made more stringent in the amendment bill. Now in serious cases, the culprits may have to face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. Apart from this, all such cases will be compulsorily heard in the fast track court, which will have to give the decision within three months. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will be the nodal ministry for this law.

Prime Minister had already given indications

Earlier, while addressing the nation on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the government will bring such a bill in the Parliament next week, which will have very strict legal provisions against question paper leaks. He had said that incidents like paper leak are very painful for lakhs of students and their families and the government is taking this problem seriously.

The Prime Minister said that after the allegations of NEET paper leak came to light, the government has initiated action at many levels and now the law is being amended to make it more effective.

Opposition raised questions

Congress has called this step of the government a late decision. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that merely bringing a new law will not solve the problem. Accusing the government of failing to stop paper leaks, he said students want real accountability.

Congress also reiterated its demand for removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the post, apology to the students and action against those who took action against the protesting students.

Movement continues at Jantar Mantar

Protest by students is still going on at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Although social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended her fast, the agitation continues under the leadership of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said that their protest will not end until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

The government believes that the new amendment bill will increase transparency in the examination system and will help in effectively curbing crimes like paper leaks. Now all eyes are on the presentation and passage of this bill in Parliament.