Telangana CM pitches for national-level policy to address paper leak issue
Hyderabad, July 28 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday demanded the Centre punish those responsible for exam paper leaks stringently and called for a national-level policy to address the issue.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, the Chief Minister favoured conducting exams online, saying more problems arise when exams are held offline.
He criticised the mushrooming of coaching centres across the country without proper authorisation, alleging that such institutions have become hubs for question paper leaks.
Strongly objecting to the growing dominance of the Union government in the functioning of universities in states, the Chief Minister stressed that education should remain within the purview of state governments to minimise errors. He said this matter should be discussed in Parliament.
Replying to a query, he said the state would decide its course of action regarding the prevention of paper leaks after reviewing legislation being formulated by the Central government.
CM Revanth Reddy highlighted that his government had brought more transparency and accountability in the conduct of competitive exams by restructuring the Telangana Public Service Commission along the lines of the UPSC.
He said exams should be held transparently to instil confidence and trust among students, ensuring they face no disadvantage.
The Chief Minister criticised the previous BRS government for failing to take action against Globarena company for committing irregularities. He alleged that inaction against the agency allowed it to expand operations to CBSE exams, causing hardships to students, and called for stern measures against such organisations.
He also lambasted the KCR government for leaving behind outstanding fee reimbursement dues amounting to Rs 8,000 crore.
Revanth Reddy stated that a Vigilance and Enforcement probe was in progress against institutions attempting to claim reimbursements by presenting fabricated figures without proper facilities.
He assured that dues would be paid to compliant and genuine institutions, while criticising the BRS for creating a false impression that his government was withholding reimbursements.
The Chief Minister also took strong exception to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for echoing claims that the present government was not clearing pending bills.
He suggested to Union Minister Kishan Reddy, BJP state unit president N. Ramachander Rao, and MP R. Krishnaiah that demands for fee reimbursements in Telangana should be made only after ensuring 100 pc reimbursement is implemented in Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP-TDP alliance government is in power.
Revanth Reddy reiterated that while arrears from the previous government posed a financial burden, his administration was striving to resolve all related issues.
He announced that moving forward, fee amounts for a specific academic year would be paid in full during that same year, with funds deposited directly into bank accounts in advance.
He said the state requires between Rs 2,200 crore and Rs 2,400 crore annually for fee reimbursements and clarified that his government has devised plans to ensure regular payments, assuring there would be no issues regarding fee reimbursement in the future.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, the Chief Minister favoured conducting exams online, saying more problems arise when exams are held offline.
He criticised the mushrooming of coaching centres across the country without proper authorisation, alleging that such institutions have become hubs for question paper leaks.
Strongly objecting to the growing dominance of the Union government in the functioning of universities in states, the Chief Minister stressed that education should remain within the purview of state governments to minimise errors. He said this matter should be discussed in Parliament.
Replying to a query, he said the state would decide its course of action regarding the prevention of paper leaks after reviewing legislation being formulated by the Central government.
CM Revanth Reddy highlighted that his government had brought more transparency and accountability in the conduct of competitive exams by restructuring the Telangana Public Service Commission along the lines of the UPSC.
He said exams should be held transparently to instil confidence and trust among students, ensuring they face no disadvantage.
The Chief Minister criticised the previous BRS government for failing to take action against Globarena company for committing irregularities. He alleged that inaction against the agency allowed it to expand operations to CBSE exams, causing hardships to students, and called for stern measures against such organisations.
He also lambasted the KCR government for leaving behind outstanding fee reimbursement dues amounting to Rs 8,000 crore.
Revanth Reddy stated that a Vigilance and Enforcement probe was in progress against institutions attempting to claim reimbursements by presenting fabricated figures without proper facilities.
He assured that dues would be paid to compliant and genuine institutions, while criticising the BRS for creating a false impression that his government was withholding reimbursements.
The Chief Minister also took strong exception to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for echoing claims that the present government was not clearing pending bills.
He suggested to Union Minister Kishan Reddy, BJP state unit president N. Ramachander Rao, and MP R. Krishnaiah that demands for fee reimbursements in Telangana should be made only after ensuring 100 pc reimbursement is implemented in Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP-TDP alliance government is in power.
Revanth Reddy reiterated that while arrears from the previous government posed a financial burden, his administration was striving to resolve all related issues.
He announced that moving forward, fee amounts for a specific academic year would be paid in full during that same year, with funds deposited directly into bank accounts in advance.
He said the state requires between Rs 2,200 crore and Rs 2,400 crore annually for fee reimbursements and clarified that his government has devised plans to ensure regular payments, assuring there would be no issues regarding fee reimbursement in the future.
