AMID THE protests over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said on Friday that if the “investigations” point to mismanagement in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the need for restructuring, it would “definitely be done”. Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme, Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, said: “The concerns we have regarding NEET exams have been discussed during the Cabinet meeting. It was raised by the Prime Minister himself in the very first Cabinet meeting. The PM is personally monitoring this and is concerned about it. I assure you that the future of the students will not be jeopardised.” Responding to a question on whether the NTA needs to be restructured because of the perception that it is mismanaged, he said: “If the investigations suggest (so), it will definitely be done. The government has nothing to hide. Whether it is the NTA or any other agency, or any other person because of whom this chaos has been created… (they) will be punished, I assure you on that.” Following the protests over the alleged NEET-UG exam paper leak, the government handed over the probe to the CBI and removed the NTA's Director General Subodh Kumar Singh. Paswan, who is the president of the LJP (Ram Vilas) which has five members in Lok Sabha, also criticised the Opposition for disrupting House proceedings on Friday. “If you (Opposition) wanted to raise the issue of NEET, then there was a good opportunity today during the debate on the President’s address to Parliament. The Chair had also given you the permission. Even if you did not have permission, we know that you can discuss all issues during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. But you prioritised creating a ruckus in the House and did not let it function. It shows that students don't matter to the Opposition,” he said, adding that these issues were discussed with Modi during a meeting on Friday afternoon. Saying that the government was committed to securing the interest of students, he said: “The government, and the Prime Minister personally, is very clear that no compromise will be made as far as students are concerned. Whatever decisions are taken by the government (in this regard) will only be for the better future of the students. It is very important for the government to take all stakeholders in confidence, which is what the government is doing right now.” He said the government was adopting a multi-dimensional approach on the issue. “There are 24 lakh students involved in this. There are many students who don't want to undergo the examination once again. There is a section of students which is not happy with the results. They have gone to the honourable court and the matter is still pending there. Paper leaks cannot be tolerated and central agencies are investigating that matter. The government is speaking to everyone, and, at the right time, the right decision will be taken,” he said. Paswan also conceded that there were concerns within the alliance regarding the Agnipath scheme. “A few alliance partners have raised this concern. Our alliance, especially the PM, gives us the platform where we can raise our concerns. But this is an issue that needs to be discussed within the alliance first. When needed, all alliance partners will raise their concerns, give suggestions. But as of now, this is not the priority,” he said.
