The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is set to introduce an ordinance aimed at tackling the issue of paper leaks that have recently plagued the state, impacting lakhs of youth aspirants.
The ordinance, titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations Ordinance 2024,’ will encompass the UP Public Service Commission, UP Service Selection Board, UP School Board, and other relevant authorities and bodies.
Among the offences punishable under this act are the distribution of fake question papers and the creation of fake recruitment websites. The penalties for such offences range from a minimum of two years to lifetime imprisonment, along with fines up to Rs 1 crore.
The draft of the ordinance suggests that if any examination is compromised by offenders, the financial compensation for it will be recovered from the involved paper solver gangs. There are also provisions to blacklist defaulting companies and service providers.
Under this ordinance, the UP government will have the authority to attach the properties of offenders. All offences are non-bailable and fall under the jurisdiction of the sessions court.
Additionally, the Yogi Adityanath government plans to exercise stringent vigilance in the selection of test centres and ensure the confidentiality of printing presses and the secure transport of printed question papers.
Only government secondary degree colleges, universities, polytechnics, engineering and medical colleges, and other well-known, well-funded educational institutes with clean track records will be designated as test centres. These centres will be required to have CCTV systems in place. Four distinct agencies will be responsible for managing the various aspects involved in the conduct of recruitment tests.
