Amidst the ongoing protests over NEET paper leak, the Central Government has approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act. The related bill can be presented in Parliament on Monday. The government has also talked to the protesters.
Amendment in anti-cheating law approved amid NEET controversy
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, amid ongoing protests across the country over the NEET exam paper leak. The proposed amendment bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Monday (July 27) for consideration and passing.
The decision comes amid sustained protests from students and opposition parties, who are demanding accountability, a comprehensive investigation into the paper leak and stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of public examinations. These protests began on 6 June at Jantar Mantar and reached their peak on 20 July with the “Sansad Chalo” march, in which protesters pressed for systemic reforms in the examination process.
Meeting between government and protesters
During the briefing on Cabinet decisions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav was asked several questions about the government’s plan to take strict action against paper leaks and setting up fast-track courts, but she did not answer them. The monsoon session of Parliament, which began on July 20, will continue till August 13.
Earlier in the day, representatives of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) met Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to discuss their demands related to the ongoing agitation. After the meeting, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) claimed that the government has sought time till Saturday afternoon to deliberate on their demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka also claimed that the government was positive on their other two demands, which include compensation for suicide victims of the NEET leak and not registering any FIR against the protesting students. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Ranka said the government has sought time to consider the demand and expressed hope that Pradhan would be removed from the post.
Ranka said, “On our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon. We hope that the government will remove him soon.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda after the meeting with the representatives said that the government will hold another meeting with the CJP representatives tomorrow after internally discussing the issues raised during Friday’s meeting. The minister said that the CJP has made three main demands and five suggestions for examination reforms.
“The meeting lasted for about two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for the examinations. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussions held between the governments,” Nadda told reporters.
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