Madhya Pradesh 'Vyapam' being cleansed of flaws: Minister

Bhopal, Jan 29: Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Umashankar Gupta on Friday, Jan 29 said a slew of measures being implemented by government has almost "cleansed" of "flaws" in the admission and recruitment system of the scam-tainted state Professional Examination Board.

The 'Vyavsayik Pareeksha Mandal' had been in news for the massive scam, popularly known as 'Vyapam' scam in conducting various examinations and recruitment tests.

Top authorities and some politicians were allegedly involved in the scam. "We have cleansed the MPPEB's admission and recruitment system of faults last year. No complaint or defect has come to us in conduction of recruitment tests last year," Gupta said.

He said the MPPEB's overall system now stands "purged" of flaws. "We have taken a lead in carrying out the recruitment tests online. Last year, we had conducted five online recruitment tests without a blemish," said Gupta, who also holds portfolio of Technical Education and Skill Development.

The minister said the government has announced a reward for invigilators who detect any wrongdoings on part of students appearing for any tests for recruitment or for admission to professional courses.

"And this has paid off.We have felicitated five invigilators with Rs 50,000 each and one with Rs 1 lakh for blowing the lid off irregularities in different recruitment tests conducted last year," Gupta added.

He said the government has been "working hard" to bring in the better procedures to ensure transparency in functioning of the body.

Invigilators Sunil Pandey, Rehmat Ali and Deepak Chourasia, all from Satna district, and Prashant Pandey and Anshul Sarawagi from Bhopal district were rewarded with Rs 50,000 each for catching imposters during forest guard recruitment tests.

Sunil Rakshit from Jabalpur district was rewarded with Rs 1 lakh for detecting dummy candidates at an online written test for appointment of jail constables.

The scale of the scam came to light in 2013, when Indore police arrested 20 people who had come to impersonate candidates for (pre-medical test) PMT 2009.

Subsequently, the Special Task Force uncovered the alleged involvement of several politicians, including former education minister Laxmikant Sharma, bureaucrats, MPPEB officials, racket leaders, middlemen and candidates.

The probe was handed over to the CBI by Supreme Court in July 2015.

PTI