Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 was passed in the Assembly on Friday.
The Bill was introduced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the Assembly earlier in the day to make the selection of suitable candidates for government jobs free of corruption and transparent.
In order to ensure its purpose, the Bill has several stringent provisions against the person and the institution that would be found involved in unfair means. The followings are major provisions against the individuals and the institutions as deterrent against corruption:
- 3-5 years jail and Rs 10 lakh penalty for individual
- Rs 1 crore penalty and blacklisted for 4 years for the institution conducting the test
- 3-10 years imprisonment and Rs 1 crore penalty for the official
- 5-10 years imprisonment and Rs 1 crore penalty for the individual and the institution jointly conducting the test
While presenting the Bill, the chief minister had come down heavily on the previous BJD government for irregularities in selection process for government jobs.
Stating that corruption was rampant during the BJD rule, Majhi said it had gone upto the Secretariat level as Assistant Section Officer (ASO) jobs were sold for Rs 25 to 30 lakh each.
“The corruption by government officers at the time not only put the future of the youths at stake but also frustrated the sincere and bright students aspiring for jobs. While they toiled hard for selection and their families spent huge amount of money towards their preparation, their attempts were spoiled by the corrupt regime,” he said.
In a warning to corrupt officials, he said they should shun the practice or face consequences. In order to root out corruption in the government works, the Bill was necessary, he added.
Also Read: ASO Jobs Sold For Rs 30 Lakh During BJD Rule, Says Odisha CM
