Bhubaneswar: As the central government moved to amend legislation in Parliament to curb examination paper leaks, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday stressed that enacting laws alone will not resolve the crisis without strict and effective implementation.
Additionally, the regional party demanded the resignation of Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over widespread errors found in textbooks for Classes 1 to 8.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, significantly strengthening the 2024 Act by establishing Special Fast Track Courts, a mandatory two-month investigation deadline, and penalties of up to ₹10 crore to combat paper leaks and organised crime.
Addressing a press conference, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty highlighted that over 150 exam paper leak cases have been reported in the country over the last 12 years.
Against this backdrop, the Union Cabinet recently approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced in Parliament today. The proposed amendment aims to impose harsher penalties for irregularities such as question paper leaks. “Strict, impartial, and effective enforcement of the law is vital to prevent paper leaks and punish the perpetrators. If perpetrators are not brought to justice, these laws will remain strictly on paper,” Mohanty said.
He further pointed out that the BJP-led government in Odisha had passed the Odisha Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in the State Assembly on December 6, 2024. “However, despite 23 paper leak incidents coming to light under the “double-engine” government over the past two years, not a single culprit has been punished so far,” he alleged.
According to the BJD spokesperson, this serves as clear proof that framing tough legislation is insufficient unless backed by sincere enforcement and exemplary punitive action against offenders.
Shifting focus to primary education in the state, Mohanty expressed grave concern over widespread errors in textbooks published by the state government for Classes 1 through 8, which have sparked public outrage across the state.
He reiterated the demand made by BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, calling on School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond to take moral responsibility for the textbook blunders and tender his resignation immediately.