New Delh: The Opposition nabbed the NDA government on myriad considerable issues ranging from the NEET paper leak case to railway safety as the Budget session of the Parliament started on Monday with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabling Economic Survey 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, kicked off the first day of the monsoon session of the Parliament on July 22, questioning what has the government done anything to address the issue of recent entrance examination paper leaks.
Stating the entire nation is aware that “there is a very grave problem with our examination system,” Mr. Gandhi alleged that the Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan does not seem to understand even the fundamentals of what is going on, in this regard
“This is not just the question of the NEET but major examinations,” he said adding that “the Minister has passed the blame on everybody else except himself.”
While the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG is under the scanner over several irregularities, including an alleged paper leak, the UGC-NET was canceled as the Education Ministry received inputs that the integrity of the exam was compromised. Both matters are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“The issue is that there are millions of students in this country who are extremely concerned about what is going on and who are convinced that the Indian examination system is a fraud,” Mr. Gandhi said while addressing the lower house of the Parliament.
“Millions of people believe that if you’re rich, if you have money, you can buy the Indian examination system, and this is the same feeling we as the Opposition have. This is why we are asking some very simple questions to the Hon. Minister.: As this is a systemic issue, what exactly are you doing to fix the issue at a systemic level?” he added.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a batch of petitions alleging irregularities and malpractices in the conduct of the medical entrance exam NEET-UG 2024, including a paper leak.
A visibly peeved Mr. Pradhan said it was unfortunate that the member described the examination system as rubbish.
Stressing that there should be constructive discussions on the issue, Speaker of the House Om Birla said if questions are raised about all the examinations in the country, then that will have an impact on the Indian education system and the perception of it around the world.
“We should look at developing a better system… it is not right to raise questions about all examinations,” he said. Centralized examinations have not aced the test after the Speaker concluded his remarks, Mr. Gandhi wanted to speak but was disallowed.
Mr. Gandhi and almost all the Opposition members, including from TMC and DMK, walked out of the House.
Congress Deputy Leader in the House Gaurav Gogoi raised slogans demanding the resignation of Mr. Pradhakar
