New Delhi: Stating that there is a need to rise above party politics, President Droupadi Murmu said the government is fully committed to a fair investigation into the recent incidents of paper leaks and ensure that the guilty are punished.
Addressing the joint session of both houses of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, the president said the examination process requires complete transparency and probity, whether it is competitive examinations or government recruitment tests.
"Whether it is competitive examinations or government recruitment, there should be no reason for any hindrance. This process requires complete transparency and probity. Regarding the recent instances of paper leak in some examinations, my government is committed to a fair investigation and ensuring strict punishment to the culprits," she said.
"Even earlier, we have witnessed many instances of paper leaks in different states. It is important that we rise above party politics and undertake concrete measures nationwide," she added.
In her first presidential address after the formation of the BJP-led NDA government for the third time at the Centre, Murmu said Parliament has also made a strong law against paper leaks and is working towards major reforms in the exam process and the functioning of exam-related bodies.
The President's comments come amid a raging row over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations including the medical entrance test NEET and PhD entrance NET. As she spoke, opposition parties raised slogans against the center's policies on Manipur violence, NEET paper leak, and new criminal laws set to come into force in July.
President Droupadi Murmu meets the Union Council of Ministers. (Photo courtesy: X@rashtrapatibhvn)
Key developments
* BJP leader Om Birla was re-elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha through a voice vote after Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved the motion in the House.
* After introducing his Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha on June 26, PM Modi introduced his Council of Ministers in the Rajya Sabha the next day, amid clapping and thumping of desks.
* Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed as the Leader of Opposition for Lok Sabha, a post which comes with certain powers in the Parliament. This is the first time in 10 years that a member of the Congress has been appointed to the post, as it had less than 10 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019.
* BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda was appointed leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took charge as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
* Six newly-elected MPs from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh took oath as members of the Rajya Sabha.
