UP Assembly Passes Anti-Cheating Bill, Maximum Penalty Life Imprisonment

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill to bring more transparency to the public examination system and identify the elements taking advantage of its vulnerability. It provides for a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 1 crore on those who would be convicted in organised cheating rackets.

Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed a Bill to tackle malpractices in public examinations, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 1 crore on those linked to organised cheating rackets.

The Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 has the provision of a life sentence and a fine of not less than Rs 50 lakh, which may go up to Rs one crore, for a person, whether in connivance with a solver gang or otherwise, for using unfair means in a public examination.

The Bill seeks to tackle and identify the elements taking advantage of the vulnerability of the examination system. The Bill says the crime will be investigated by a DSP or an ACP. The opposition demanded that the Bill be sent to a Select Committee, but the demand was rejected by the House and the Bill was passed by a voice vote.

The aims and objectives as stated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The injustice done with the youngsters through the malpractice in the public examinations is not less than any national sin and the state government is committed to strongly act against those elements, who are attempting to play with the future of youngsters desirous of finding employment in Uttar Pradesh."

The Bill aims to bring more transparency to the public examination system, bringing impartiality and credibility and assuring youngsters that their efforts will be rewarded impartially.

The student and the competitive examinees will be kept free from criminal responsibility keeping in mind their future, but "decisive and strong action" will be ensured against those guilty. The Bill, once it becomes a law, will come into force from July 15, 2024.