“ASO jobs were sold for Rs 25 to 30 lakhs during the previous BJD government’s tenure,” stated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in response to the discussion on the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in the Assembly.
The Chief Minister criticized the former government for jeopardizing the state’s future, citing a lack of transparency and widespread corruption in appointments. He questioned their silence during the rampant corruption that occurred right under their watch. Furthermore, he accused the previous administration of qualifying the unqualified for positions, with officials being complicit in examination paper fraud, exemplified by the JEE exam scandal of 2023.
He contrasted this with his government’s commitment to transparency and honesty, promising to provide 1.5 lakh job appointments and to fill all vacant posts.
Presenting the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, the Chief Minister lauded the BJP government’s achievements, attributing them to the long-standing sacrifices and efforts inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by the people of Odisha. He pledged to continue fulfilling the promises made, aiming to create a prosperous, developed, and progressive Odisha.
He condemned the previous government for transforming Odisha into a hub of deception and fraud despite having a stable rule and public support.
For the past twenty-five years, the government’s neglect has robbed many talented students of job opportunities. The enduring legacy of the previous administration, which solidified the government sector’s employment system, must be dismantled. This issue extends beyond employment and technical education to encompass transparency and its repercussions. The enactment of this bill promises to realize the dreams of countless skilled students.
The state government pledges to safeguard the countless gifted students who are Odisha’s backbone. Recently, numerous irregularities have surfaced, including question paper leaks in recruitment exams, mark substitutions in oral exams, non-compliance with examination rules, and bribery. Such malpractices and biases in exam administration were rampant under the previous regime, only coming to light in media exposés. Notably, the Odisha Staff Selection Commission Chairman’s personal assistant was implicated in a bribery scandal, offering jobs to unqualified candidates—a scandal that has left an indelible mark on Odisha’s populace. Additionally, the 2023 JEE (Civil) exam was annulled following a question paper leak, marking a significant blemish on the state’s examination system.
Students dedicate years to preparing for public examinations. They enroll in coaching institutes, which have become increasingly expensive, and parents often send their children to major cities for this preparation, spending their hard-earned money. Some parents even sell their land or take loans for their children’s education. However, irregularities in exam conduct can nullify years of a student’s effort in an instant, shattering their parents’ dreams and causing the students deep psychological distress. Unfair practices by certain groups can lead to the success of unqualified candidates, while diligent and talented students suffer. When exams are canceled, the efforts and morale of the candidates are wasted. Many cannot afford to retake the exam, and some, as reported in the media, resort to suicide, devastating their families, as noted by the Chief Minister.
In response to last year’s NEET exam irregularities, the Central Government and states like Haryana, Assam, and Maharashtra have passed laws to prevent such occurrences. The Chief Minister stated that Odisha will take proactive measures to avoid future incidents by implementing similar legislation, which includes strict penalties. This law aims to identify and curb disruptive elements within the examination system, thereby preventing organized crime and ensuring the integrity of the examination process.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government’s priorities are transparency, impartiality, honesty, and openness, describing it as a responsible administration. The government considers it a paramount duty to safeguard the future of the state’s numerous talented students and fulfill their and their parents’ aspirations. To this end, the government is dedicated to penalizing dishonest entities that disrupt examination processes and to acknowledging the efforts of diligent students. With the decision to offer one and a half lakh government jobs in the future, the Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of a robust law to ensure these positions are filled transparently and fairly. He appealed to the assembly members to endorse and pass the bill, thereby enacting it into law.
