New Delhi, Jul 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that strong action was taken against those involved in the NEET paper leaks so that no one plays with the future of the youth, and said states should join hands with the Centre to tackle the menace in national interest.
Modi made the remarks at a meeting of the NDA MPs here, a day after thousands of students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) took part in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march against irregularities in the NEET exam and to demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Briefing journalists after the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, which was named ‘Mangal Milan’ since it is held mostly on Tuesdays, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the prime minister told the MPs that the government acted immediately after reports of the paper leak surfaced, and 13 people were arrested and sent to jail.
“At the same time, the prime minister said, to ensure that students’ future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay,” Rijiju said after the hour-long meeting.
He said the prime minister also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future.
Modi told the NDA MPs that those found involved in the paper leak racket have been arrested and jailed.
The prime minister also told the ruling alliance’s MPs that those guilty in paper leaks should be given the strictest possible punishment, with the support of the country’s top lawyers, so that those involved in such a grave offence face exemplary action and such incidents do not recur.
“The prime minister said strong action has been taken to ensure that no one plays with the future of youth. The prime minister also said that to ensure that no future paper leaks take place, all state governments and the Centre must join hands irrespective of party. This is not a matter of party politics but matter of national interests,” Rijiju said.
Modi also stressed the need to punish the guilty and collaboratively establish a foolproof system.
The parliamentary affairs minister said the prime minister gave guidance to everyone present at the meeting.
He said at the outset the newly elected Rajya Sabha members, including BJP president Nitin Nabin, who was elected to the Upper House recently, was congratulated and wished success in Parliament.
Rijiju said the meeting was very productive as the prime minister spoke on several important issues.
The prime minister spoke about the achievements the country has made over the past few months and also briefed the NDA MPs on the free trade agreements (FTA) signed with several countries.
On the FTAs, Rijiju said, Modi assured the NDA members that the interests of farmers would be prioritised and emphasised that no harm would come to them.
The prime minister stressed that the welfare of farmers remains paramount in any FTA signed with any country and the government is ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation, he said.
Rijiju said the NDA would play a constructive role during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
“We are united in our resolve to ensure the passage of all important bills brought forward for the nation’s benefit. We also appeal to the opposition parties that while they may hold differing views, they should come forward to work together for the country, its future, and the youth,” he said. (PTI)
