Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 10 (HBTV): Two staff members, including the principal and a professor, were suspended, while three others were terminated from service after a video allegedly showed a peon evaluating students’ answer sheets at a government college in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district, an official confirmed.

Those terminated include guest faculty member Khushboo Pagare, who was assigned to evaluate the answer sheets; Pannalal Patharia, a lab technician (designated as a peon), who was seen checking the papers; and Rakesh Kumar Mehar, a book lifter, who assisted in the matter.

The incident took place in January this year and gained public attention after a video surfaced on social media. The suspension orders for the college principal Rakesh Kumar Verma and professor Ram Gulam Patel, who served as the nodal officer for evaluation, were issued on April 4. The termination orders for the remaining three followed on April 8.

Anupam Rajan, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Higher Education Department, stated: ‘Evaluation of answer sheets was going on at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College in Pipariya, Narmadapuram district, and a video surfaced showing a class IV employee, a lab technician, evaluating the papers. A committee of senior officers was formed to investigate the matter. Following this, the college principal and the nodal officer were suspended for negligence.’

He further added: ‘Khushboo Pagare, the guest faculty member responsible for evaluating the copies, claimed she was unwell and absent during the evaluation. She was terminated. Pannalal Patharia, the lab technician who conducted the evaluation, and Rakesh Mehar, the book lifter who helped him, were also terminated. In total, two people were suspended and three terminated from service.’

When questioned about the re-evaluation of the answer sheets, Rajan assured that students would not suffer any loss and that the previously checked copies would be re-evaluated by qualified personnel.

‘There will be no loss to the students. The answer sheets previously checked will be re-evaluated by competent evaluators. Suspension and termination orders have been uploaded on the departmental website. Such negligence must not recur, and strict action will be taken wherever similar cases are found,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar said the matter was treated seriously and appropriate action was ensured against those found guilty.

‘The department has taken the issue very seriously regarding the evaluation of exam copies by ineligible persons in Pipariya. We have taken action against those found guilty, including the college principal,’ Parmar stated.

In contrast, Congress spokesperson Ravi Saxena criticised the state government, alleging widespread administrative failure and lack of focus on education.

‘There is chaos spreading in every sector under the current government—be it health, education, or unemployment. If a peon is evaluating examination papers in today's Mohan government, it is no surprise. The state government has no concern for education. There is only corruption,’ Saxena said.

He further added: ‘Madhya Pradesh has dropped to the 18th position in education rankings. In the last five years, around 60 students have dropped out of primary education. Basic facilities are absent in 31,000 primary and secondary schools. The government only acted after public outrage. There are many such instances that go unnoticed. Strict measures are needed to prevent recurrence.’

(ANI)