The Union Cabinet on Friday cleared a proposal to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with the aim of introducing tougher penalties for question paper leaks.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that the government was preparing additional measures to address irregularities in competitive examinations. In a video message released on Thursday night, Modi said he had directed officials to expedite the creation of fast-track courts for cases involving examination paper leaks.
According to sources quoted by ANI, the amendment bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament on Monday. While the Cabinet has approved the proposal, the text of the amendment has not yet been released, and the specific changes remain undisclosed.
“I instructed the departments to work on the fast-track court proposal. They completed the work late at night and submitted it for approval. It will be discussed in the Cabinet tomorrow, and after incorporating the suggestions of Cabinet colleagues, it will be finalised. From Monday, when the second week of Parliament begins, we will try to get the bill passed as quickly as possible,” the Prime Minister said in Hindi.
Separately, representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) met government officials on Friday to discuss their demands over the NEET controversy. Following the meeting, the CJP claimed that the government had accepted two of its three demands.
According to the party, the Centre has agreed not to register cases against protesters demonstrating at Jantar Mantar and has also accepted the demand for compensation to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with alleged NEET-related irregularities.
However, the party said no assurance was given regarding its demand for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The CJP added that Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh have sought time until Saturday to communicate the government’s final decision on that issue.
