Question paper leakage, other irregularities mar CET Chemistry paper cancelled, biology postponed ULFAT MANZOOR SRINAGAR, June 22: The Common Entrance Test (CET) being conducted by J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) was today marked by allegations of question paper leakage and other irregularities. Subsequently the authorities cancelled the chemistry paper which was held today and postponed the biology paper, scheduled for tomorrow. The CET for admission to various undergraduate professional programmes in Jammu and Kashmir began this morning. Thousands of candidates today appeared for the physics paper in the morning and chemistry paper in the afternoon. The candidates alleged that the packets of physics papers at a number of examination centers were unsealed and tied with pins only. They alleged tempering of the packets and demanded re-examination of the physics paper also. At a number of centers the physics paper was provided to the candidates half an hour late for unknown reasons and they were not given the allotted one and half hour time to attempt the questions. The mess did not end there only. In the afternoon when chemistry question papers were being distributed at several centers they too were found to be unsealed. As the question paper packets were opened at centre numbers 7, 8 and 9 of government girls higher secondary school Kothibagh, few biology papers were found in the packets. The examination for the biology paper was scheduled for tomorrow morning. The examination staff in the centers of Kothibagh higher secondary school also found that the chemistry question papers were not in the required number. When they brought this to the notice of higher authorities they were asked to get the photostat copies of the question paper done and distribute those among the candidates. Interestingly the photostat machine at Kothibagh school was not available and the staff went to SP College to get the copies of the question papers done. The irregularities by BOPEE caused lot of resentment among the candidates and their parents. They lodged a strong protest and demanded that the examination of Physics paper should be also conducted again for justice to the candidates and to remove the genuine doubts about the fairness of the CET. When contacted, chairman BOPEE, R.D Sharma said it is a human error. “We have decided to postpone the biology paper and cancel the chemistry paper,” he said. Sharma added that the examinations for biology and chemistry papers will be conducted when the examination centres are available to BOPEE.” We cannot conduct the examinations on working days by closing down the normal work in schools and colleges,” he said. The BOPEE chairman stated that the Mathematics paper will be held tomorrow afternoon as per schedule. It may be recalled here that last year also allegations of question paper leakage, irregularities and corruption were leveled against BOPEE. “The state government must ensure that the question are not leaked. There are also reports about the question papers being sold in advance for lakhs of rupees. This practice has to be put to an end,” said Abdul Razak, parent of a candidate.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 03:26:20 +0000