'Cheating A National Issue. Our Law Will End Copying In Exam': Uttarakhand CM Dhami On Exam Paper Leaks

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami said that cheating and paper leaks are serious concerns for the country and that the state's anti-copying law will put an end to it.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (File Photo)

Source : PTI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said that exam copying and cheating is a serious issue, whether in Uttarakhand or any other state. He asserted that Uttarakhand's anti-copying law will put an end to test cheating and the distribution of exam papers on pen drives.

"Whether it’s in Uttarakhand or the country, copying & cheating in exams is an important issue. Every state is worried. The anti-copying law in Uttarakhand will stop cheating in the exams, and releasing exam papers in pen drives": Uttarakhand CM was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Delhi | Whether it’s in Uttarakhand or the country, copying & cheating in exams is an important issue. Every state is worried. The anti-copying law in Uttarakhand will stop cheating in the exams, and releasing exam papers in pen drives: Uttarakhand CM, Pushkar Singh Dhami pic.twitter.com/qmLTmVQ7UV

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2023

The statement comes days after protesters and police battled in Itanagar on Friday during a demonstration against a recent leak in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission examination question paper. As a result, internet service in the area was cut off, and prohibitory orders were issued.

Uttarakhand's Anti-Copying Law: 

The Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance 2023, which provides for life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, was recently passed by the state government. It provides for 10-year prison sentences for those found guilty of copying and life imprisonment for those who facilitate it.

The new law, which was approved by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen. Gurmit Singh (retd) on February 10, is widely regarded as the chief minister's idea and had been in the works for about a year. The idea stems from a fine goal: to combat the state's "cheating mafia," which has recently had a stronghold on the state's exam ecosystem. Uttarakhand has had a succession of paper leaks during the last decade. Recently, a patwari and accountant recruitment exam held in January had to be cancelled and rescheduled for mid-February.

This came after the Dhami-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was compelled to cancel the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) test last year after it was discovered that the paper had been leaked and sold to numerous candidates.

The Dhami regime is now prepared to crack the whip, backed by a tough anti-copying statute that renders the offence cognisable (arrests can be made without a warrant), non-bailable, and non-compoundable (no compromise is allowed between parties). In terms of punishment, an applicant found guilty of cheating during an exam may face up to three years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs 5 lakh. If caught again, the penalty can be up to ten years in prison and a Rs 10 lakh fine.

Most importantly, the legislation punishes cheating (or paper leak) facilitators with a life term and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, including the printing press, coaching institute management, and any other associated service provider. 

However, the problem is not confined to Uttarakhand: paper leaks are common throughout India, especially in UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, MP, Punjab, and Gujarat, to name a few. The bitter experience of UP criminalising copying in the 1990s discouraged other states from enacting strong legislation. Now that the Dhami regime has dared to try again with a tough rule, the implementation and aftermath will be closely monitored by all state governments attempting to combat the menace.

(With Inputs From Agencies)