Maharashtra has been facing a serious problem with unemployment. Based on current data, Maharashtra has a higher unemployment rate than the entire country. The COVID-19 epidemic has worsened the state’s unemployment crisis and resulted in job losses in several industries. The unemployment rate in Maharashtra has varied over time. Mounting cases of exam paper leak has added to the problem. As many aspirants were affected by the paper leak episodes, this has now become major election issue.
The PLFS 2023-24 estimates the State’s urban unemployment to be at 5.2 percent, against 4.6 percent in the previous year. With respect to overall unemployment rate, Maharashtra clocked 3.3 percent in 2023-24, more or less the same as the national unemployment rate of 3.2 percent for the same period. What is the root cause of this sensitive issue and answer to this question is the exam paper leak. Due to which many examinations were cancelled and recruitment across the state and departments virtually came to standstill.
The repeated incidents of paper leak put the government at the receiving end. The anger of the people took the momentum as people started debating who is guilty of shattering crores of dreams, and jeopardising countless futures. A concern common to all the stakeholders, including the Chief Minister and the Maharashtra government, would definitely be, how can the well-oiled paper-leak industry be dismantled. Within a span of few months, three government exams have caused controversy for paper leaks and alleged tampering of marks. Police investigations into the leaks have revealed that all incidents of question paper leaks involve substantial amounts of money being exchanged in the process. Many instances have also revealed the involvement of government officials, teachers, and even personnel from printing presses in these acts. Social media plays a crucial role in the rapid circulation and dissemination of leaked papers, reaching thousands of participants almost instantly, most often in exchange for money.
The youths were up in arms and they took the issue to the streets. The opposition adopted an aggressive stance and raised the issue in the legislature. Under fire from all four sides, the government decided to bring legislation. After much hue and cry and criticism, the Maharashtra government tabled the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 in the state assembly. The Act aims to prevent paper leaks and malpractices in competitive examinations. The Act proposes stringent provisions, holding not only the individuals responsible but also the service provider or the company behind the paper leak. It proposes imprisonment of between three and five years and a fine ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs one crore.
The state government has announced that it would provide government jobs for 75,000 youths in the state.
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