Prime Minister assures students that strict action will be taken against paper leaks

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that government will bring in more strict actions against paper leaks. In a late night video message, PM Modi said that the Union Cabinet will discuss these stringent measures on Friday and the government will try to get the Bill passed in Parliament next week. He assured that the Centre will bring in stricter measures to curb examination paper leaks, including provisions for fast-track courts and harsher punishments for offenders. His message comes amid massive nationwide protests against alleged irregularities in the NEET UG examination. "I know that paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakh of students and their guardians." "Numerous effective measures have been taken in the past two and a half months since the paper leak incident. The culprits have been caught and are in jail. Our most important responsibility was to ensure that students' year is not wasted. The government used all its might to ensure that 22 lakh students could take their exams in the shortest possible time," he added. Further talking about the bill on fast track courts he added, "On the 19th July, the results were declared. I directed the departments today to establish a fast-track court. The departments presented me with the resolution late at night. This resolution, along with the provision for a fast-track court and harsh punishment, will be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow. After the suggestions of cabinet colleagues, it will be finalised, and since the second week of Parliament is starting from Monday, efforts will be made to get that bill passed in the House as soon as possible. "