Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief leader Eknath Shinde on Saturday hailed a slew of steps announced by the Centre to make the examination system more transparent, fair and reliable.
He said taking serious cognisance of the widespread anxiety among students amid the nationwide NEET paper leak controversy, the Central government has taken historic steps to set up fast‑track courts, impose up to 10 years of imprisonment and levy a Rs 10 crore fine to curb paper leaks.
Welcoming these measures, Shinde declared the state’s full support for the Centre’s stance. He stated that the welfare and bright future of students remain the top priority for the NDA government at the Centre.
He noted that the government has been continuously engaging in positive dialogue with students protesting across the country, including at Jantar Mantar.
He further mentioned that Union Ministers J. P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited the hospital to hold discussions with senior social activist Sonam Wangchuk regarding his hunger strike, after which Wangchuk decided to call off his fast.
Shinde highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a firm and clear stand to put a permanent end to paper leak incidents and to initiate stringent action against those playing with the futures of students.
He said a bill proposing rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for the guilty will soon be tabled in Parliament.
In a post on his official X account, Shinde clarified that the Maharashtra government wholeheartedly welcomes this historic decision.
He affirmed the state’s absolute commitment to working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the Central Government to safeguard the rights and futures of students, and to ensure a high‑quality examination system in the state.
–IANS
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