Chandigarh: Drawing parallels with the resignation of the Union education minister over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, the Punjab Congress on Saturday intensified its attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP govt, demanding the resignation of health and medical education minister Dr Balbir Singh over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for pharmacy officers.Former Punjab education minister and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh said the Pradhan’s resignation set an important benchmark for public accountability and that the same principle should be upheld in Punjab.Pargat said that when the integrity of examinations is compromised, it is not merely an administrative failure but a direct attack on the aspirations and future of thousands of students. “Paper leaks cannot be normalised.
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They destroy the credibility of the education system and undermine the hard work of honest students,” he said.The Congress functionary said that if accountability was expected at the national level, it could not be denied in Punjab. Referring to alleged examination irregularities in the state, Pargat Singh demanded that Dr Balbir Singh must accept moral responsibility and resign. “The standards of accountability cannot change with political affiliation. Students deserve a fair, transparent and credible examination system. Those entrusted with safeguarding that system must accept responsibility when it fails,” he added.Retired IAS officer and Congress legislator Balwinder Singh welcomed the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing it as the first major victory for students who fought an honest and democratic battle. He said the govt was forced to bow to the determination and struggle of students, calling it a victory for the unity and resolve of the country’s youth.Balwinder Singh said that if accountability could be fixed in the paper leak issue at the Centre, those responsible for alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in Punjab must also be held accountable. He said thousands of aspirants invested their hard work, time and future in preparing for competitive examinations, but incidents such as paper leaks shattered their trust in the system.He further alleged that serious questions have been raised over Punjab’s recruitment and examination system in recent times. In such circumstances, Balwinder Singh said, the concerned minister should accept moral responsibility and resign. He added that when repeated irregularities occur under a department’s jurisdiction, those in charge could not evade responsibility. MSID:: 132626729 413 |
