Corruption and government
It refers to the editorial of The Daily Star that there is little question that corruption in government is a sad reality we have lived with for years. Even so, there is in us that certain feeling that as governance improves and public sensibilities get to be more sharpened, such wrongdoing will be rolled back and the country can move on toward its desired goals. That being the sentiment, it comes as a shock for all us that some government staff have been involved in the crime of leaking question papers in return for dishonest financial gains. Candidates are in for a shock when they come to know about the cancellation of the exam after reaching their test centres. Question paper leak of entrance or skill tests and competitive examinations has almost become a routine affair in the country. Such leakages have taken place in the past. Every time it happens, an inquiry is ordered . Police catch smaller fishes. But after initial action, hardly anything is done to reach the mastermind. As a result, thousands of students suffer almost every alternate year due to various admission or employment scandals. The education mafia, which runs the seat-fixing racket and is involved in leakages, however, continues to operate with impunity.
In the past, BCS question paper was leaked. A committee was formed to probe the leak but nothing concrete happened thereafter. Beside question paper leakages, almost every year scores of paper solvers and impostors are caught in scheduled examinations of professional courses and board examinations. Inquiries have revealed that these solvers and impostors are small fish. Most of the time they are students who are lured by money or coerced by the racketeers. My personal suggestions are: the question papers would be sent through the Intranet 1 day before the examination is to begin and the offices of the Deputy Commissioners will be responsible for print out question sets, kept in the safe custody/treasury offices and supervise for fairness including distribution to centres. At present, the question papers are printed a few weeks ahead of the examination and the chances of such leaks are increased.
But now that it is the Government Press which is involved, one can only guess what might happen and on a graver and bigger scale - in future if the problem is not tackled right away. No mercy should be shown here. The arrest of the government employees for allegedly engaged in taking a bribe indicate the alarming growth of corruption and black money. As a result, pension-less citizens are made to bear the high cost of living and reduced interest on government's pledge for free and fairness. It is time the CID and other intelligence agencies are expanded and made to scan every government official, high profiled civil servant or even a minister and bring to book.
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