Bengal LoP backs exam bill, seeks probe into NEET leak

Kolkata, July 27 (AHN) West Bengal Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Ritabrata Banerjee, who leads the rebel but majority faction of Trinamool Congress, on Monday supported the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

He also asked the central government to introspect why NEET-UG question papers were leaked in the first place.

In an interview with AHN, Banerjee said the Bill was framed in the right spirit.

He noted that the Bill talks about stringent measures and welcomed it. However, he added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre must introspect why such a situation was created and why such a massive movement was held.

He said the protests erupted because of the paper leak, and the government must ensure a proper law is enacted with strong measures to end such leaks.

Banerjee further said it must be ensured that such a situation is not created again so that the government does not have to apply stringent measures in the future.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill has strong penal provisions to deal with paper leaks.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said 91 amendments had been moved to the Bill and offered a dedicated six-hour window for a comprehensive discussion.

However, no discussion took place as the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day over Opposition protests demanding a statement from the government on the use of police force on protestors in Delhi.

The Bill significantly toughens the penalties established under the 2024 Act, introduces mandatory two-month investigation deadlines, designates Special Fast Track Courts, and imposes steep financial penalties of up to Rs 10 crore for organised crime networks.