CB to probe HSC papers theft

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Friday ordered a Crime Branch (CB) probe into the theft of HSC question papers from a school in Puri district. Announcing this in the Assembly, Minister of State for School and Mass Education Pratap Jena said exemplary punishment will be meted out to the guilty after the probe is over.A high-powered committee comprising experts and officials will also be set up to study examination and evaluation system of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and suggest reform measures.Jena pointed out changes to be made in the examination system.There will be a minimum gap of two days between two examination dates while steps will be taken to declare the results of the HSC examinations simultaneously with CBSE and ICSE so that students do not face problem in getting admission to colleges.The Minister said necessary steps will be taken to conduct the matriculation examination in a smooth manner under a fresh schedule. Results will be declared by the end of June, as is generally done. In any case, the results would be out latest by the first week of July, he added.However, not satisfied with the Minister’s reply, the Congress walked out. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh earlier demanded that Jena must quit owning moral responsibility for the theft of question papers, which took place for the first time in the State.The Chief Minister too must express regret in the House, he said.Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan demanded a judicial or CBI probe. The theft of question papers is a ‘political conspiracy’ to divert the attention from the Italian nationals hostage crisis, he alleged.Harichandan wanted to know whether Bhagabati Bidyapith, where the theft took place, fulfilled all the criteria of an examination centre.His party colleague Anup Sai held the Chief Minister responsible for the incident and demanded that he step down owning moral responsibility for the plight of lakhs of students. Prafulla Majhi (Cong) also slammed the Government for the miseries caused to the students.