Opposition protests question paper leak

Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition in the Kerala Assembly led by the Congress yesterday stormed out of the House in protest against the government stand on the leak of question papers of Sarva Shisha Abhayan (SSA) and SSLC model examinations.

The opposition MLAs belonging to the Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) walked out when the opposition demand for a discussion on the leak was denied. They alleged that the government was trying to defend the employees responsible for the incident.

A few bundles of SSA question papers flew off a vehicle at Karielakulagara near Cherthala in Alappuzha district recently as it was being transported. In a similar incident, the SSLC model question papers were also found to be leaked at Parapanagadi in Malapuram district a few days ago.

Opposition leader Oommen Chandy charged that these incidents clearly showed the "casual" manner in which the government was handling the public examinations in the state. The government instead of taking action against the people responsible for the incident was trying to protect them, he said before walking out of the House.

Stern action

Replying to the notice of adjournment motion moved by K.C. Venugopal of the Congress on the issue, Education Minister M.A. Baby said the government would take stern action against the people found guilty. Four employees had already been suspended in connection with the SSA question paper leak, he said.

The government had taken all necessary steps to conduct fool-proof SSLC examinations beginning on March 14. The question papers would be transported to the respective examination centres with police protection, the minister said.

Venugopal said leak of SSA and SSLC model question papers have caused apprehension and anxiety among students who were preparing for these examinations.

Replying to a submission, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan informed the Assembly that strict orders had been given to heads of Public Sector Units (PSUs) to report the vacancies to Public Service Commission (PSC).

Achuthanandan said disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating the order.

Instructions have also been given not to make appointments directly in those posts where appointments had to be done through the PSC, he added.

After the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government came to power, 18,854 vacancies were reported to the PSC between May and November 2006, he said.

Raising the matter, opposition alleged that large scale "back door" postings were taking place in various departments including health, industry and tourism.