Rajya Sabha passes anti-paper leak Bill, Opposition walks out

Rajya Sabha clears anti-paper leak Bill amid Opposition walkout

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Thursday after passing the anti-paper leak Bill, a key legislative agenda of the government during the Monsoon Session. The Bill, which seeks to prevent malpractices in competitive examinations, was cleared amid a walkout by Opposition parties.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition staged a walkout ahead of the Bill's passage, raising concerns over certain provisions and the recent police action against protesters. The government, however, defended the legislation, calling it a necessary step to protect the integrity of exams.

PM says Bill will strengthen exam system

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the passage of the Bill, stating that it would make the examination system more robust. In a statement, he emphasised that the law would deter fraud and ensure a level playing field for millions of students across the country.

The Bill now awaits the President's assent to become law. The government has argued that the legislation is essential to curb the rising number of exam paper leaks that have affected competitive tests in recent years.

Opposition questions provisions and police actions

Opposition parties, however, remained unconvinced. During the debate, they raised questions about specific clauses in the Bill that they claimed could be misused. They also criticised the police action against protesters, arguing that the government was stifling dissent.

The walkout came after the Opposition's demands for a detailed discussion were not met. The government countered by saying that the Bill had already been vetted by a parliamentary committee and that all concerns had been addressed.

What the anti-paper leak Bill proposes

The Bill introduces stringent penalties for those found guilty of leaking exam papers or engaging in organised malpractices. It also sets up a framework for faster investigations and trials to ensure swift justice.

Officials have said that the law will cover all major central and state-level competitive exams. The aim is to restore public confidence in the examination process, which has been shaken by repeated leaks.

What happens next

With the Rajya Sabha clearance, the Bill is now set to become law after the President's approval. The government is expected to notify the rules soon, and enforcement agencies are likely to be geared up for implementation.