India's Cabinet Approves Paper Leak Bill, Education Ministry Sees Major Reshuffle

New Delhi. India's Cabinet has approved the Paper Leak Amendment Bill. The bill was approved by the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. This bill is being prepared to be presented in Parliament on July 27.

Prime Minister Modi had issued a video message for students at midnight on Thursday. He said the government would enact a law with strict penalties against paper leaks. Posting a 2-minute 56-second video message on social media X, Modi said, 'Paper leak is not a normal issue. It is a painful issue for millions of students and their parents.' He claimed that many steps have been taken against paper leaks in the last two and a half months, and those responsible have been arrested and jailed.

He stated that to prevent students' years from being wasted, examinations for 2.2 million students were conducted in a short period, and the results were also announced on July 19. The government is not satisfied with this alone, he mentioned, and informed that he has directed the formation of a fast-track court. This entire episode is linked to the paper leak incident of the NEET UG examination held on May 3.

In protest of this very paper leak, the Kakroach Janata Party has been demonstrating at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a month. Sonam Wangchuk has been on a 26-day hunger strike, and MPs are creating a ruckus in Parliament. Currently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating this incident. Investigations have been completed in states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Delhi, and so far, 13 accused have been arrested. The CBI is preparing to file a chargesheet in this case soon.

Both Secretaries of the Ministry of Education Changed
The Indian government made a major reshuffle in the administrative machinery on Thursday. While 17 senior officials were transferred and promoted, the biggest change occurred in the Ministry of Education.

IAS officer Nareshpal Gangwar of the 1994 batch from the Rajasthan cadre has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education in the ministry. He will replace the incumbent Secretary Vineet Joshi. Vineet Joshi has been made the Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Similarly, IAS officer T.K. Anil Kumar of the 1995 batch has been promoted and appointed as the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy.

Delhi High Court Forms Fast Track Court

Delhi High Court has formed a fast-track court at Rouse Avenue Court for the trial of the 'Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024' and other related offenses. All cases related to this will be transferred to that court.

The Delhi High Court has transferred Judge Anu Grover Baliga, In-charge of the Mediation Centre of Tis Hazari Court, as a Special Judge at Rouse Avenue Court.