Cracking the whip, Karnataka government on Thursday suspended 40 officers and other staff in the Pre-University Department after the Chemistry paper of Class XII was leaked for the second time in 10 days, leading to cancellation of the exam.
As the issue rocked the Assembly, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar announced the government’s decision in the House, amidst protest by BJP members who demanded his resignation.
The re-examination will now be held on April 12, the minister said, as the second leak led to protests by angry parents and teachers in Bengaluru and elsewhere in the state.
He said to oversee conduct of the exam, a three-member observers team, comprising current Transport Commissioner Ramegowda, who earlier served as Pre-University Commissioner, would be constituted.
Ratnakar said the DGP CID has been requested to conduct speedy investigation into the leak of both March 21 exam and todays re-examination question paper and find out the source behind it and punish those responsible.
The examination on March 21 was cancelled and re-examination scheduled for today after students alerted the authorities about the question paper leak.
Government had then ordered the CID investigation.
As the House met for the day, BJP members raised the issue and demanded Education Ministers resignation.
Hitting out at the government and the minister, Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar said, "Is this government alive or dead?" and accused the government of being "irresponsible" and playing with the lives of young students.
"Are you aware of the pain and worry the students and their parents are undergoing?" Shettar said, adding "there is no other go; Kimmane Ratnakar has to take responsibility and resign."
CID has to be given a free hand to investigate and strict action should be taken against those responsible, he said.
Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa also expressed displeasure about the paper leak.
JDS Leader Y S V Datta expressed surprise over the leak for the second time, that too when the CID was probing earlier paper leak.
He said second PUC is a crucial year in a students life as it is the basis on which they choose their professional courses.
Other BJP leaders like Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Suresh Kumar also held the PU department responsible and demanded Ratnakars resignation.