Under fire from Opposition Congress for the question paper leak, Minister for Higher Education Badrinarayan Patra on Tuesday said valuation of Plus Two examination papers will be done at one place to ensure transparency.
The decision for central valuation of examination papers was taken following allegations that private residential colleges were manipulating results by influencing officials of the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) in-charge of examination.
Terming the Congress demand for his resignation as politically motivated, Patra said he and his son have nothing to do with the question paper leak. But some Congress members including Santosh Singh Saluja made him a target on the issue.
Rejecting the Opposition demand, the Minister said the Government has taken steps to nab the culprits. While the Crime Branch of police is investigating the case, three persons have already been arrested, he added.He assured the House that the Government will not spare anybody involved in the crime and sought the cooperation of the members in solving the problem.
Dismissing the Opposition allegation that the Government has commercialised the higher education, the Minister, in his reply to the demand discussion of the Higher Education Department, said private investment in higher education is the need of the hour. The Government has no resources to meet the increasing demand of the higher education.
Under Right to Education, it is the responsibility of the Government to provide free education to the children in the age group of 6 to 14 years. After completion of the High School, the students have their choice. Patra said since the Government has no resources to invest in higher education, it has welcomed private investment in this sector.