NEW DELHI: Parliament on Friday passed a bill that seeks to bring in greater transparency and effectively deter persons, organised groups or institutions from indulging in various unfair means for monetary or wrongful gains, which adversely impact the public examination systems. The bill provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for such offences.
The bill was passed through a voice vote in Rajya Sabha, after amendments proposed by some opposition members were rejected.It was passed by Lok Sabha on Feb 6.
Opposition parties, including Congress and Trinamool, supported the bill in the Upper House but called for more stringent norms to prevent incidents of paper leaks, cheating and other malpractices.
Replying to a discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in RS, minister for public grievances and pensions Jitendra Singh said, “We have very cautiously kept the bona fide candidate out of the purview of the law, be it a job aspirant or a student.” He explained that the reasons for doing so that was to ensure that the message does not go that the new legislation is meant to harass the youth.