Date:18/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/18/stories/2006031809780300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Steps to prevent malpractices during II PU examination

Staff Correspondent

Special squads formed to monitor the situation in examination centres

10 of 51 examination centres identified as sensitive
26,044 first-timers and 6,044 repeaters to appear for the examination

Photocopying, fax centres in 200 metres radius of exam centres to be closed

Belgaum: The district administration has taken steps to check malpractices during the Second Pre University examination commencing from March 24.

Deputy Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh and zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer M.E. Shivalingmurthy, who held a meeting with officials of the PU Board and college principals discussed steps to be taken to conduct the examination in a free and fair manner.

Special squads

Special squads at district and taluk levels have been formed under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, which will monitor the situation in various examination centres.

Examination centres

In all, 51 examination centres will be set, of which 10 have been identified as sensitive and six as hyper-sensitive.

This time, 26,044 students will be taking the examination for the first time, while there will 6,044 repeaters in the district. Dr. Rajneesh asked the college principals and teachers to make all efforts to ensure that the examination papers are not leaked.

Responsibility

In the event of any leakage of question papers, the authorities concerned will be held responsible, the Deputy Commissioner said.

She also advised the officials of the Pre-Universoty Board to submitted a report on the leakage of Hindi language question paper of First PU examination held on March 3.

Such incidences have direct bearing on the prospects of meritorious students coming from poor families and therefore the authorities need to take every possible care to protect the interests of such students by preventing malpractice in any form, she said.

Malpractices

Mr. Shivalingmurthy said the authorities should pay attention towards malpractices in examination halls while ensuring that no question paper was leaked.

It calls for "strong will" on the part of principals and the teaching staff involved in the conduct of these examinations.

Photocopying centres

He instructed the principals to notify in every examination centre that use of mobile phones, photocopying/fax are not allowed within the radius of 200 metres of the examination centre.

All photocopying and fax units falling in this area shall remain closed during the period of examination.

Any violation of these orders will invite appropriate action, the Chief Executive Officer warned.