HimVani
Dharamshala: Congress today staged walk out from state assembly unsatisfied over education minister’s reply over a debate brought in the house on examination scam unearthed in state education board. The matter was raised in the house by opposition leader Vidya Stokes, HPCC president Kaul Singh Thakur and Harash Vardhan Chauhan(Shilai-Cong) under rule 63 in form of short term discussion regarding examination scam being unearthed recently. Initiating the discussion, Kaul Singh Thakur said that 208 students identified were being placed in the merit in the exam held in 2010. While many more cases are there in which student was placed in merit without appearing in exams. He alleged that government took action only when Congress raised the issue and it later appeared in media. He said that after that FIR has been registered into this scam. He demanded that matter should be investigated by CBI or by a judge of High Court and last 15 years records of the board should be probed.
He also quoted cases of 1991 and 2001 when students had been issued fake certificates. He said that there was no demand for the resignation of Education Minister, but he demanded registration of cases against the board chairman, secretary and the controller of examination into the matter. Making the reference of involving of daughter of former Congress Minister Singhi Ram, Kaul Singh said that cases were registered against the girl and minister, but no action was taken against board officials guilty in the scam. He said that before one member enquiry committee led by Onkar Sharma could have inquired into the matter the important records were being allowed to be destroyed by responsible officials of the board.
Speaking over the issue Vidya Stokes said that it has brought shame to entire state. She stressed the need that matter must be investigated to restore the confidence in the working of board. Under the current regime, business of fake certificate was thriving and flowering which would be harmful for the education. She assaulted the government for opening 18 private universities which are flouting the UGC norms. Harsh Bhardhan (Shilai-Cong) said that issue was serious as every family was associated with the functioning of board. He said that such scandals were casting their shadow on the creditiblity of education system in state must be taken care.He also demanded CBI probe and enquiry form high court judge to punish the guilty who are deep rooted and must be exposed. Veriender Kanwar (Kotkhailur-BJP) also participated on discussion and alleged that congress regime was responsible for current scam while it is charging current government for it. Replying to the debate, Education Minister ID Dhiman said that the government had already initiated an enquiry into the board scam and guilty would be punished accordingly.