Lokayukta’s solution to tackle paper leaks: Print question papers in govt-run press
Demanding more autonomy for itself, it urged the government to amend the Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986.
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CSIR UGC NET examinations are conducted twice a year on an India basis.
(Image: Representative/ File)To tackle the paper leak menace of various examinations conducted by the Gujarat Subordinate Services Selection Board (GSSSB), the Lokayukta has suggested that question papers be printed only at government-owned press where the responsibility could be fixed. Demanding more autonomy for itself, it urged the government to amend the Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986.
The Lokayukta, retired Justice Rajesh H Shukla, made the suggestion in its 23rd annual consolidated report for 2022-23 tabled in the Gujarat Assembly Wednesday. However, in case the present system is continued, he also suggested certain modifications through specific provision that mandates “the person involved in the printing or the owner of the press” to follow certain norms “for maintaining secrecy” during the process of printing.
The report also suggested a closer examination of the procedure for setting the papers by the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) or the Union Public Service Commission to make the system transparent, accountable and to avoid similar incidents.
“Involvement of the moderator and as far as possible, only few persons like the Chairman, may have the idea about the exact questions that have been included in the paper, while different sets of questions are collected from one or more moderators. Hence, it will not be known which questions are likely to be covered,” the Lokayukta further suggested.
He also suggested that the state must accept the importance of the institution of the Lokayukta. “…if such institutions are to be made effective for the faith of the people, a more discretion with suitable amendment in the Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986 is required. There should be more autonomy for the Lokayukta to function in the public interest which may enhance the faith and confidence of the people in such institution,” the report stresses, adding “the Lokayukta has quite limited jurisdiction and power both in scope and effectiveness and this is the main cause for lean in flow of complaints”.
Additionally, the report also lamented the lack of “necessary discretion and powers” of the legal framework, including the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Central Vigilance Commission.
It highlighted that “provisions that are not stringent create the impression that the person may get away with his corrupt activities or misconduct”. “Even if steps are taken, including the criminal cases, the punishments are ineffective to provide any deterrence to those indulging in corrupt practices,” it added.
Demanding stringent punishment similar to that in the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1970 (SAFEMA), the Lokayukta stated: “In my opinion, as it has been a matter of discussion and debate that a person who is guilty or found indulging in corruption, there should be a specific provision or mechanism to trace such wealth which has been amassed by corrupt practices and there should be effective legal provisions for confiscation of such wealth which has been amassed illegally”.
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