BENGALURU: In an attempt to curb malpractice during recruitment exams, the state government plans to introduce Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2023, which proposes imposing stringent punishment on those found guilty. It proposes imprisonment of up to 12 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.
It is expected to be tabled at the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. According to the Bill, in case an examinee takes unauthorised help from any other person, material (recorded, copied or printed), or mechanical or electronic device, he or she will be liable to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of not less than Rs 10 lakh. In case of non-payment of fine, the person will have to spend another nine months in jail.
In case a person impersonates, attempts to leak question paper or possess it in an unauthorized manner, assists another to solve the paper in the hall, or seeks assistance to solve it, the punishment is 8-12 years and a fine of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 10 crore.
The candidate will be debarred from appearing for the exam for the next two years. A police officer above the rank of assistant superintendent of police will investigate the offence.
The Bill will be applicable for recruitment to posts under the state government, including those conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission, state public universities, high court, police recruitment and promotion board, Karnataka Board of Secondary Education, or any societies, boards and cooperatives owned by the government.
It may be recalled that many of the recruitments conducted recently have been mired in controversy. These include a question paper leak for the KPSC’s first-division assistant exam in 2021 and another leak for KEA’s assistant lecturer exam in 2022.
“In a matter of recruitment to posts under the state government, leakage of question papers not only betrays the trust of the general public but the state too suffers substantial administrative costs and loss of prestige when the conduct of examination comes under question,” read the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.
Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge, minister for IT/BT and rural development, wrote on X: “This (the Bill) will help prevent offences of leakage of question papers and use of unfair means at public examinations in government recruitments to any post. The new law will work as a deterrent against the rise and trend of unfair means in public examinations and also work as a deterrent for the examinees and criminals who resort to such tactics. The government of Karnataka is committed to the future of the youth and will do all in our capacity to prevent corruption in government recruitments.”
It is expected to be tabled at the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. According to the Bill, in case an examinee takes unauthorised help from any other person, material (recorded, copied or printed), or mechanical or electronic device, he or she will be liable to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of not less than Rs 10 lakh. In case of non-payment of fine, the person will have to spend another nine months in jail.
In case a person impersonates, attempts to leak question paper or possess it in an unauthorized manner, assists another to solve the paper in the hall, or seeks assistance to solve it, the punishment is 8-12 years and a fine of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 10 crore.
The candidate will be debarred from appearing for the exam for the next two years. A police officer above the rank of assistant superintendent of police will investigate the offence.
The Bill will be applicable for recruitment to posts under the state government, including those conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission, state public universities, high court, police recruitment and promotion board, Karnataka Board of Secondary Education, or any societies, boards and cooperatives owned by the government.
It may be recalled that many of the recruitments conducted recently have been mired in controversy. These include a question paper leak for the KPSC’s first-division assistant exam in 2021 and another leak for KEA’s assistant lecturer exam in 2022.
“In a matter of recruitment to posts under the state government, leakage of question papers not only betrays the trust of the general public but the state too suffers substantial administrative costs and loss of prestige when the conduct of examination comes under question,” read the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.
Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge, minister for IT/BT and rural development, wrote on X: “This (the Bill) will help prevent offences of leakage of question papers and use of unfair means at public examinations in government recruitments to any post. The new law will work as a deterrent against the rise and trend of unfair means in public examinations and also work as a deterrent for the examinees and criminals who resort to such tactics. The government of Karnataka is committed to the future of the youth and will do all in our capacity to prevent corruption in government recruitments.”
