New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress of “exploiting” the future of students and youths, while adding that under the Modi government, stringent steps are being taken against the “paper leak mafia”.
He asserted that anyone who plays with the future of students will not be spared, stating that action has already been taken against those accused in the NEET paper leak case.
Speaking at a public programme at Madaripur Kala Ground in Fatehpur, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 125 development projects worth more than Rs 489 crore, the Chief Minister said the Centre is taking continuous steps under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to safeguard the interests of students.
Referring to the government’s proposed amendments to strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, CM Yogi said the Centre would introduce stricter legal provisions in Parliament to curb paper leaks and examination-related crimes. He added that those found guilty would face stringent punishment, including the confiscation of their illegally acquired assets.
Launching a sharp attack on the Opposition, the Chief Minister claimed, “Those who exploited the youth, pushed students towards an uncertain future, and played with the future of an entire generation; today, the Samajwadi Party and Congress are shedding crocodile tears. We are grateful to Prime Minister Modi, who has taken major decisions in the last three days keeping the future of students in mind.”
“Prime Minister Modi had announced, and the Union Cabinet decided yesterday, that those involved in cheating and exam malpractice — the paper leak mafia — will face a minimum punishment of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for harming students’ futures,” he said.
He also said that the government had acted in matters related to the National Testing Agency (NTA), adding that the New Education Policy has given India’s youth a stronger identity at the global level.
Speaking on the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi said there was no longer any space for mafias or criminals in the state. He remarked that such individuals have only “two destinations — jail or hell,” and claimed that his government has taken firm action against criminals and land mafias while removing illegal encroachments from government land.
Targeting the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister alleged that before 2017, deserving candidates were deprived of employment opportunities.
“This exam mafia is a legacy of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. They nurtured and supported these people; they were the ones who protected them. And today, how are they coming forward again and showing their faces? Prime Minister Modi has announced that whoever dares to play with the future of students will face the strictest possible action. To ensure that students do not lose an entire year, the NEET examination was conducted within a fixed timeline, and the results were also declared on time,” CM Yogi said.
The Chief Minister further alleged that most recruitment drives conducted between 2012 and 2017 were surrounded by controversies and that deserving candidates were denied justice during that period.
In contrast, he claimed that his government has provided more than nine lakh government jobs over the past nine years through a transparent recruitment process.
Highlighting employment opportunities created under the current dispensation, CM Yogi said, “Today, because of you, in the New India, when our youth present their identity before the countries of the world, they go with confidence and pride, and they receive respect globally. Today, numerous opportunities are open for the youth of India in various fields. In one year, you have provided 12 lakh government jobs to the youth of India.”
Reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting students’ interests, the Chief Minister said, “Strict action against examination malpractice and recruitment irregularities would continue, adding that those attempting to jeopardise the future of young aspirants would face the harshest legal consequences under the proposed strengthened law.”
–IANS
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