The Uttarakhand government has suspended KN Tiwari, Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Haridwar, after he was found prima facie negligent in overseeing the graduate-level examination.
During the exam conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) on September 21, a candidate at the Haridwar centre, Adarsh Bal Sadan Inter College, allegedly took pictures of 12 questions from the paper on a cell phone and shared them outside.
After the recommendation of the Commission's Secretary to take action against the center's Sector Magistrate, KN Tiwari, the Uttarakhand government suspended him with immediate effect.
The order, citing a letter from the UKSSSC Secretary, noted that regardless of the presence of district-level officers and staff, the incident pointed to alleged “negligence in supervision and a lack of sensitivity towards duty,” raising questions about the integrity of the exam.
Tiwari, who was serving as Sector Magistrate for the examination centre concerned, was held prima facie responsible for lapses in supervision.
The order added that he failed to remain attentive to his work responsibilities, leading to his immediate suspension. He has been attached to the Commissioner, Rural Development Office, Pauri, until further orders.
“KN Tiwari, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Haridwar is hereby suspended with immediate effect and attached to the Commissioner, Rural Development Office, Pauri till further orders,” the order read.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had said no one guilty would be spared in the alleged paper leak of the UKSSSC exam question paper.
His remarks followed the arrest of Khalid Malik, the main accused in the alleged paper leak. CM Dhami said the state government had a policy of zero tolerance towards such matters and would not let anyone play with the future of youth.
Speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said, “The future of youth will not be allowed to be played with. Action will be taken against whoever is found to be guilty. We have a zero-tolerance policy...More than 100 cheating mafia members are already behind bars...One accused has been arrested here. All agencies are investigating it. All decisions will be taken that are right and in the interest of students."
On Tuesday, Uttarakhand Police arrested Khalid Malik, the main accused in the alleged paper leak of the UKSSSC exam question paper. Earlier, the police had also arrested his sister.
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