Question paper leak to be made a criminal offence

Gove plans to amend Education Act for introducing punishment clause

The Education department has decided to invoke criminal procedure to penalise those indulging in acts like paper leaks, which will henceforth be considered a criminal offence. This decision follows the leakage of II PU Chemistry question paper twice.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar said on Tuesday that a decision has been taken to amend the Karnataka Education Act to introduce the punishment clause. “Supporting, copying or leak of question papers by officials, teachers, parents or students will be considered a criminal and non-bailable offence. The department will frame these new rules and send it for suitable amendments. We have to send out a tough message. This is the reason that I have asked the CID to probe the issue from 2012 onwards,” he said, while interacting with reporters in Bengaluru.

The minister said that the CID will be probing everybody concerned - from those who have set the papers to the printer.

Seperate DPUE
There is also a proposal to separate the PU examination board from the administrative wing of the department.

“The two are now merged and they need to be separated to curtail malpractices and irregularities,” he added.

The 3-member committee constituted to supervise the Chemistry re-exam, will compile recommendations for revamping the PU Board. The committee comprises PU Education Director Ramegowda, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan project Director P C Jaffer and Principal Secretary, Primary and Secondary Education, Ajay Seth.

The committee has not been given a time frame to submit its recommendations. Asked if the department would invoke Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) against lecturers who are boycotting evaluation of PU papers, Ratnakar said, “I am sure I will win the hearts of the lecturers. If they fail to pay heed, then we will put alternative measures in place.”

He also said that there would be no delay in announcement of PU results. The results might be out before the CET examinations, in the first week of May. On rumours that WhatsApp services will be discontinued on the day before and on the day of Chemistry re-exam on April 12, Ratnakar said that he was not aware of the matter. “I have no information on this. I would not like to comment on the same,” he added.