DCs will be held accountable for question paper leak henceforth: CM D K Shivakumar

Chitradurga: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday warned Deputy Commissioners of the districts that they would be held responsible for any question paper leak in the state's recruitment examinations.

The direction comes in the wake of NEET paper leak controversy that triggered nationwide protests and culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Chairing the Bengaluru Revenue Division-level progress review meeting here, Shivakumar also directed officials to be vigilant about upcoming exams so that no lapses are there.


Also Read: Pralhad Joshi gets Education Ministry after Pradhan quits amid 36-day protest

He told officials that the state is undertaking a major recruitment drive where more than 70,000 posts are being filled.

The Chief Minister instructed officials that CCTV cameras must be installed at every examination centre.

"Question papers must be given enhanced security. Every stage, including preparation, printing, distribution and conduct of examinations, must be documented. Let the NEET scam remain a lesson for everyone. If question papers are leaked, the officials concerned, particularly the Deputy Commissioners, will be held responsible," he said.

Also Read: CJP, Centre to meet again for next round of talks in four weeks

Shivakumar said his government would not tolerate laxity in public administration and warned officials against making people run from office to office.

"The government must go to the people's doorsteps. People should not have to come to government offices. Officials must find solutions to people's problems. If they create unnecessary disputes, action will be taken. If the freedom I have given is misused, action will follow," he said.

To curb irregularities in groundwater works, Shivakumar directed that videos, photographs and GPS coordinates be made mandatory before and after drilling new borewells.

"Videos and photographs before and after drilling a new borewell must be recorded. GPS coordinates must also be captured. The depth of the borewell should be documented so that no one can drill only 150 feet and falsely claim that 500 or 600 feet have been drilled," he said.

Indicating that the cabinet expansion will take place next week, he said the ministers should jointly review relief measures.

"The Cabinet may be expanded next week. Thereafter, all ministers must work together. We must collectively assess the drought situation and ensure that farmers do not suffer," he said.

Shivakumar also said that an all-party delegation would meet the Centre to press Karnataka's case on drought relief and that a meeting of the state's MPs would be held in Delhi on Monday.

"We will take an all-party delegation to the Centre to discuss the drought situation. A meeting of MPs will be held in Delhi on Monday," he said.

He urged officials to help farmers enrol for crop insurance, create awareness on scientific crop planning and keep local MLAs informed about seed and fertiliser stocks in every Assembly constituency.

The CM also announced that two officers had been appointed to coordinate with MLAs and address their grievances, and said the Assembly session was likely to be convened in the second week of August.

Shivakumar directed forest officials not to obstruct drinking water pipelines, borewell drilling or repairs to existing roads in forest areas during the drought period.

"If drinking water pipelines pass through forest areas, no obstacles should be created. Do not obstruct repairs to existing roads or the drilling of borewells," he said.

He also said district administrations should focus on housing for the poor, creation of land banks, CSR-backed development of rural schools, transparent implementation of welfare schemes and an AI-based integrated grievance redressal system to improve public service delivery.