SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Friday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, calling it a historic and decisive step toward securing the future of millions of youth across the country.
In a statement issued from Shimla, Thakur said fairness in competitive examinations is the foundation of any merit-based system. He noted that incidents like paper leaks shatter the dreams of hardworking candidates and damage the credibility of the examination process. Strict provisions, including up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, fines up to ₹10 crore, and fast-track courts for speedy trials under the amended law, will restore confidence among honest aspirants.
Targeting the opposition, Thakur accused the Congress and other parties of doing politics in the name of youth. He stated that if the opposition is genuinely concerned about students, it should engage in constructive discussions in Parliament and assemblies rather than resorting to misleading propaganda.
In a separate development, the BJP launched a sharp attack on the Himachal Pradesh government over Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi’s remarks against Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda. Addressing a press conference in Shimla, BJP state spokesperson Sandeepni Bhardwaj warned that the party would publicly gherao the minister across the state if such statements do not stop.
Bhardwaj alleged that Negi was venting his internal party frustration on the BJP’s top leadership. He also questioned the Congress government regarding its poll promises, specifically the guarantee of providing one lakh jobs to the youth and regular employment to workers at the age of 58.
The BJP spokesperson further accused the state government of transparency failures in recruitment processes, alleging that appointments in the Assembly and other departments favored relatives and residents of specific areas. He specifically alleged that the Education Minister provided jobs to his family members, relatives, and Congress workers, demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter.
Touching upon national issues, Bhardwaj defended the central government’s action on NEET paper leaks and criticized Rahul Gandhi’s protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence as a political stunt that goes against constitutional norms.
Meanwhile, Jairam Thakur also expressed deep grief over the tragic landslide near Kadu Nala in Lahaul, where a taxi traveling from Kullu to Pangi was buried under debris. He paid tribute to the deceased, offered condolences to the bereaved families, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
