Public Examinations Bill passed by Rajya Sabha; strict punishment for exam malpractice

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill amid heated exchanges between the ruling and Opposition fronts. The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Wednesday. It will become law after receiving the President's assent. The Bill provides for a maximum punishment of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for those found guilty of examination malpractice.

The Bill was passed by a voice vote during the Opposition's walkout. Amendments moved by the Opposition were also rejected. Like in the Lok Sabha, the discussion was dominated by the police action against the student protest in Delhi. The Congress demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah if the government could not answer questions over the incident. The party also sought to know who assaulted the students in plain clothes.

A remark by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge comparing the government's policies to the Manusmriti period triggered a heated exchange in the House. Union Health Minister J P Nadda asked Kharge to provide evidence for his allegations. Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan questioned how the Bill was related to the Manusmriti.

Kharge also alleged that appointing people linked to the RSS as Vice-Chancellors would harm higher education. He said the Bill did not contain strong enough provisions to prevent question paper leaks.

JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha claimed that a Malayalam television channel had reported that a businessman based in Dubai had paid 23 people to participate in the student protest. MPs from the CPI(M) and the CPI opposed the allegation.

Opposition's demands

• The Bill should include stronger provisions to prevent question paper leaks.
• Coaching centres should be regulated.
• An annual examination calendar should be published.

(The government said these demands would be considered by the task force.)