Bihar Assembly Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill Amid Opposition Walkout

The Bihar Assembly approved the Bihar Public Examinations Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing malpractices in government exams. The bill was passed via voice vote, despite opposition protests. It introduces strict penalties, including a 10-year prison term and a minimum Rs 1 crore fine for violators.

The Bihar Assembly took a decisive step on Wednesday by passing the Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, through a voice vote. The event was marked by a walkout from the opposition.

State Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Kumar Chaudhary introduced the bill, which seeks to curb malpractices in government recruitment exams. The new law proposes severe penalties, including a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of at least Rs 1 crore, for those caught engaging in exam fraud.

Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary highlighted the necessity of stringent laws to combat unfair practices, particularly in the wake of issues surrounding the NEET-UG examination. He emphasized that the bill aims to protect the interests of hardworking and intelligent students by maintaining transparency and credibility in public examinations. He added that the legislation targets not just individuals but also agencies involved in such malpractices.

The bill comes on the heels of alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court refused to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 exam, citing a lack of substantial evidence to prove a systemic breach. However, it acknowledged isolated incidents of paper leaks in Hazaribagh and Patna.