Atiya Mujeeb
New Delhi, July 24: The Centre has stepped up efforts to tackle paper leaks, while activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a bill providing for strict action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week. He said the proposed legislation will be discussed and finalised at the Union Cabinet meeting before being tabled during the second week of the Monsoon Session.
Calling paper leaks a serious concern for millions of students and their families, the Prime Minister said the government has already taken strong action. He noted that those involved in the NEET paper leak case have been arrested, a re-test was conducted for nearly 2.2 million candidates, and fast-track courts have been set up to ensure speedy trials.
Meanwhile, government sources said activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike on Thursday night at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh.
According to sources, the breakthrough came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a nearly four-hour meeting with JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh to discuss Wangchuk’s demands and health concerns.
Following the meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh spoke with Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, assuring her that the government was committed to addressing the issues raised by the activist. Later, the two Union Ministers personally handed Wangchuk a written assurance from the Centre.
