According a top priority to uphold the sanctity of examination, the Himachal Pradesh government is adopting a zero tolerance policy towards the use of any unfair means in examinations to encourage the honest and hard-working students.

Stating this, the state Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Sunday informed that directions have been issued to all the private and government institutions to take appropriate steps to keep a strict vigil during the examinations and ensure stern action against those found guilty.

“Malpractices in examinations, is a serious concern as it undermines the entire purpose of conducting the exams. Therefore, it has become the State Government’s duty to ensure free and fair examinations and take all proactive measures to prevent the malpractices,” he said.

Directions have been issued to constitute a special high-level committee at the university or education institution level to check and prevent the use of unfair means in the examinations and the committee would be held accountable, in case any such malpractices are found to be in use, added the Minister.

The Minister further informed that directions have also been issued to the Vice-Chancellors of all the private varsities to ensure prevention of unfair means in examinations. “The cheaters involved in unfair practices during exams have to face the strictest action possible,” he added.

To conduct fair exams, the number of flying squads would be increased who would make surprise visits and check during examinations, he added.

Apart from this, senior officers of the Education Department have also been directed to keep a vigil as the State Government was viewing the use of unfair means in examinations seriously and would not make any compromise, said the Minister.