Bhajan Lal's First Move As CM: Action In Rajasthan Paper Leak Cases

After taking charge of his office, the first action of the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan was against the paper leak cases that have troubled the youth for the past few years.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, first action after taking control of the office was to act against the perpetrators of the paper leak cases. Sharma on Saturday said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the paper leak matter in detail. He added that the morale of the students has been broken due to this issue and strict punishment will be given to those responsible. 

The Chief Minister further said that an Anti-Gangster Task Force will also be formed. 

#WATCH Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma says, "For the investigation of the paper leak case SIT has been formed. Due to the paper leak, the student's morale has been broken...Strict punishment will be given to those responsible...Anti-Gangster Task Force will… pic.twitter.com/8f2xhTv4TH

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) December 15, 2023

Rajasthan CM Sharma while talking to the reporters also said that his government will work in full compliance with Prime Minister Modi's guarantee and the party's manifesto. He said that Rajasthan will now work towards the 'Antyodaya' Yojana.

#WATCH Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma says, "We will work in full compliance with Prime Minister Modi's guarantee and our manifesto. We would also like to take up those issues with which the people of the country were troubled...We will work towards the… pic.twitter.com/yttbAkgZQZ

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) December 15, 2023

Paper Leak Row & Former CM Ashok Gehlot's Defeat

A series of question paper leaks in exams to fill up government posts became one of the biggest problems for the Ashok Gehlot government. The issue started just a year after Gehlot was voted to power when the recruitment exam for Grade-III librarians was cancelled in December 2019 over a leaked question paper. Nearly 55,000 candidates had applied for 700 vacant posts. 

The Bikaner police arrested seven persons in September 2021, for allegedly leaking the question paper of the sub-inspector recruitment examination. In that same month, the state government suspended the internet in order to prevent cheating during the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) - level I and II examinations. This sparked a huge controversy. Allegations of irregularities were again made due to which the government was forced to cancel the exam.

In December 2022, the Grade-II teacher recruitment examination followed suit and got cancelled after that question paper was leaked as well.

These repeated cancellations and the hopes of the youth being crushed led to a wave of anger among them against the government.