Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday introduced the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, in the State Assembly, aiming to tackle corruption in government recruitment processes.
Majhi accused the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government of widespread corruption, alleging that jobs were sold for exorbitant sums, ranging from ₹25 to ₹30 lakh for positions like Assistant Section Officers (ASO).
He claimed this malpractice undermined the aspirations of hard-working and deserving candidates, frustrating sincere students and their families who had invested heavily in preparation.
Highlighting a major scandal, the Chief Minister pointed to the 2023 Junior Engineer recruitment exams, where question papers were leaked, allegedly exposing a corruption racket within the administration.
Majhi assured lawmakers that his government follows a policy of zero tolerance toward corruption and pledged transparency in all government functions. The proposed legislation includes strict penalties for those involved in malpractice during recruitment processes, including imprisonment.
He warned corrupt officials to abandon such practices or face stringent action, emphasizing that his government is committed to restoring integrity and fairness in recruitment.
