The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, is poised to introduce the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations Ordinance 2024 in response to recent paper leaks affecting exams for police constable recruitment and RO-ARO positions.
This ordinance, sanctioned by the State Cabinet, proposes stringent penalties including life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 1 crore for those found guilty.
The move comes after the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board cancelled the written exam for direct recruitment-2023 following allegations of paper leaks on February 24. Over 48 lakh candidates had participated in the constable recruitment exam held on February 17 and 18, highlighting the scale and impact of the issue.
A press release from the Uttar Pradesh government outlines the ordinance's key provisions. It mandates a minimum sentence of two years to life imprisonment and imposes hefty fines for violating its stipulations.
Additionally, the ordinance allows for the recovery of financial losses caused by exam disruptions from those involved in the malpractice. Companies and service providers found complicit in irregularities may face permanent blacklisting.
Furthermore, the ordinance empowers authorities to seize property connected to criminal activities related to exam fraud. Offences under this law are categorised as cognizable, non-bailable, and triable exclusively by Sessions Courts. It also establishes stringent criteria for bail, emphasising the severity with which the government intends to tackle such violations.
Previously, the Uttar Pradesh government had taken the decision to cancel the statewide police constable recruitment exam following reports of leaked question papers, underscoring the need for stricter measures to maintain the integrity of public examinations.
This initiative by the Uttar Pradesh government reflects its commitment to ensuring fair and transparent recruitment processes. By introducing this ordinance, the state aims to deter future incidents of exam malpractice and uphold the trust of millions of aspiring candidates and the public at large in the recruitment system.
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