Lucknow, 25 June (HS): Yogi Adityanath's government on Tuesday approved the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Ordinance-2024 to conduct the examinations in a transparent and fair manner. In this ordinance, provisions have been made for punishment ranging from two years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to ?1 crore against the culprits of paper leak. If the examination is affected due to paper leak or other reasons, the expenses will be reimbursed from Solver Gang. A provision has also been made to permanently blacklist the companies and service providers involved in exam irregularities.

Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna informed about the decisions of the cabinet meeting held at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Khanna said that a total of 44 proposals were placed before the cabinet, out of which 43 have been approved. The approved proposals also included the Prevention of Unfair Means in Public Examinations and Paper Leaks Ordinance 2024.

The Finance Minister said that the proposal for an ordinance regarding the paper leak has been approved by the Council of Ministers. Under this, if any organization or people associated with it are caught, then a provision of punishment ranging from 2 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore has been made. Under the ordinance, Public Service Commission, Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board, Uttar Pradesh Board , University, authority or body or the institution nominated by them are also included in this. This ordinance will also apply to any kind of recruitment examinations, regularization or promotion examinations, entrance examinations for degree-diplomas, certificates or educational certificates. Under this, punishable offenses like distributing fake question papers, creating fake employment websites etc. have been made. Under the ordinance, for violation of the provisions of the Act, punishment ranging from 2 years to life imprisonment has been provided to the culprits, while a fine of ?1 crore has been provided.

Minister Khanna said that if the examination is affected, a provision has been made to recover the financial burden from the solver gang and to forever blacklist the institutions and service providers involved in irregularities in the examination. The Act also makes a provision for confiscation of property in case of crime. Under this, all crimes have been made cognizable, non-bailable, triable and non-compoundable by the Sessions Court. Strict provisions have also been made regarding bail. Due to the absence of the Assembly session at present, an ordinance has been proposed in place of the bill. After the approval of the proposal by the Council of Ministers, the ordinance process will be completed and after that it will be implemented.