The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved a proposal to implement an ordinance that provides for imprisonment from two years to life and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for question paper leakers.
Proposed Ordinance Prevent paper leaks. and other such offenses were approved in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
All offenses are made triable and non-bailable under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Practices) Ordinance. Offenses shall be tried in Sessions Courts and shall be non-committable. It also has strict provisions for bail.
Apart from imprisonment and fine, the Ordinance also provides for the property of those found involved.
An official spokesperson said the ordinance covers examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, UP Subordinate Service Selection Board, UP Board, state universities, and authorities, bodies, or agencies designated by them.
It will also cover certification and promotion exams in government jobs. Offenses including distribution of fake question papers and creation of fake job websites are also punishable under the ordinance.
Besides, the spokesperson said, if any exam is affected, the financial burden caused will be recovered from those found involved. The Ordinance provides for permanent blacklisting of companies and service providers found guilty of tampering with examinations.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced shortly after the Lok Sabha elections that a law would be introduced to curb paper leaks with strict provisions to unmask gangs involved in such activities.
In February, the recruitment exam for over 60,000 police constables was canceled due to a paper leak.
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First uploaded by: 25-06-2024 at 17:26 IST