Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 26 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the alleged pharmacy recruitment exam paper leak and backed the Centre’s move to introduce a stricter law against paper leaks and cheating in competitive examinations.
Speaking to reporters, CM Saini said, In Punjab, Manish Sisodia had declared that if a paper leak occurred in Punjab, he would immediately accept the Education Minister’s resignation. Yet, just two days ago, the pharmacy exam paper was leaked. Neither Kejriwal–even as students took to the streets–nor Bhagwant Mann seemed to notice it.
He accused the opposition of double standards. “There is a saying about an elephant having one set of tusks for show and another for eating; this perfectly describes the Congress and the INDI Alliance. They point fingers at others while remaining mired in corruption themselves. The country will not forgive them; the nation is watching,” CM Saini said.
The remarks came after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Bains, alleging that six paper leaks, including the Punjab Teacher Eligibility Test, Class 12 English exam, and pharmacy officer test, had affected lakhs of aspirants in the state.
On the proposed anti-paper leak Bill in Parliament, CM Saini said there was a nationwide discussion on the Central Government’s move to introduce a more effective legal framework.
“There is a nationwide discussion regarding the Central Government’s move to introduce a more effective and stringent legal framework to tackle offences like paper leaks and cheating in competitive examinations. This is a significant step towards safeguarding the hard work and future of millions of young people. The country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has always held the clear view that there is no place in New India for those who play with the hard work and dreams of the youth. The Prime Minister makes decisions with their future in mind and accords the highest priority to the interests of the youth. I am fully confident that under his leadership, no one–be it paper-leak mafias, cheating gangs, or anyone else seeking to rob the youth of their future–will be spared. Strict action will be taken against anyone who attempts to undermine the hard work of the youth. Incidents of paper leaks occurred under previous governments as well, yet no one enacted a specific law against them,” he told reporters.
Saini added that although the issue had been discussed by previous governments, concrete legislation was enacted only in 2024.
“Even during the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government in 1986, the issue was merely discussed, but no law was enacted. In 2024, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a law was enacted on this subject, and it is now being further strengthened. In Haryana, too, our government has already implemented the pledge of recruitment without ‘parchi’ or ‘kharchi’, establishing a transparent and merit-based recruitment system. If the Central Government takes even stricter legal measures in this direction, the youth across the country will certainly gain greater confidence in the examination system… Now, the bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha, ensuring protection for our youth and their rights,” CM Saini said.
The Union Cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to strengthen the anti-paper leak law amid continuing nationwide protests over the NEET-UG row, while deadlock in Parliament continued for the fifth day.
According to sources, the proposed amendment Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Monday, July 27. (ANI)
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