'Damage Control To Deal With Scams': Congress Mocks Centre's Anti-Paper Leak Law Amid NEET-UG Row

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the anti-paper leak law was implemented after the scams as a means to "control damage".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the anti-paper leak law was implemented after the scams as a means to "control damage".

Source : PTI

After the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government notified a law aimed at preventing the use of unfair means in competitive exams, the Congress took a jibe at the Centre over the law, calling it "damage control to deal with scams".

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, was implemented by the NDA government after several "scams".

The NEET-UG row, which erupted due to the alleged irregularities in the results and reports of paper leaks, led to protests from several opposition political parties and student associations, including Congress.

Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, claimed that though the law was needed but it deals with the leak of question papers and other irregularities after they allegedly occurred.

On Feb 13 2024, the President of India gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, 2024.

Finally, just this morning the nation has been told that this Act has come into force from yesterday, that is June 21, 2024. Clearly this is damage control… pic.twitter.com/VrC9IWX20X

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 22, 2024

"On Feb 13 2024, the President of India gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, 2024. Finally, just this morning the nation has been told that this Act has come into force from yesterday, that is June 21, 2024. Clearly this is damage control to deal with the NEET, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET and other scams," Jairam Ramesh wrote.

Stressing the need for laws that ensure leaks do not take happen in the first place, the Congress leader stated: "This law was needed. But it deals with leaks after they have occurred. More important are laws, systems, processes, and procedures to ensure that leaks don't happen in the first place."

The Public Examinations Act 2024, was enforced amid the ongoing row. The law aims to curb irregularities and malpracticies in the competitive examinations and calls for a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders and maximum jail term of ten years.

The law, though imposed today, was passed by the Parliament in the Budget session that concluded on February 10 this year.