Sambhal (UP), May 13 (PTI) Expressing concern over the alleged NEET paper leak, Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rehman Barq on Wednesday said such incidents reflect the BJP government's failure in conducting fair and successful examinations.
Speaking to reporters at his residence here, the Sambhal MP said he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education meeting scheduled for May 21.
He further alleged that not only was the government unable to provide jobs, but it was also failing to ensure transparent examinations.
“I am a member of Parliament’s Education Committee. The chairman, Digvijaya Singh, has called a meeting on the 21st in which officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) have also been summoned. We will question them on why they are failing to conduct successful examinations,” he said.
Responding to reports of a BJP worker from Rajasthan being involved in the paper leak case, Barq said, "If a BJP office bearer is involved in such (paper leak) activities, then it raises even bigger questions about how he gained access to the system."
"The matter is being investigated by the CBI, but the probe should be completed as soon as possible. Strictest action should be taken,” he said.
Barq also stressed the need to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future.
“It must also be ensured that paper leaks do not happen again, otherwise the future of children will be pushed into darkness. This raises serious questions on the government and the entire system,” he added.
The MP expressed his sympathies with the lakhs of students and their families who suffered due to the cancellation and irregularities in examinations.
“It is unfortunate that around 22 lakh students prepared for this examination with immense hard work, while their families invested money and time. In the end, they only faced disappointment,” he said.
Barq also claimed that nearly 70 examinations have been cancelled over the past decade over irreruglarities. "Whether it is national-level examinations, UP Police recruitment, Bihar Police recruitment, teacher recruitment or junior engineer recruitment exams, this has become a major blot on the system and the government,” he said.
“Why are examinations not being conducted successfully? Why do papers get leaked repeatedly? Such questions are natural. Crores of people have been affected, not just those appearing for NEET but also candidates of several other examinations. Perhaps such a large number of cancelled examinations has never happened before in the country’s history,” he added.