GOI Removes 47 NTA Officials Amid Major Overhaul Following Paper Leak Row
Legal and criminal action likely against some officials as Centre initiates sweeping reforms in National Testing Agency
New Delhi, July 24: In a major administrative action, the Government of India has terminated the services of 47 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as part of an extensive overhaul of the examination body, which has been under scrutiny over alleged paper leak controversies.
Details available with news agency JKNS reveal that legal as well as criminal proceedings are also likely to be initiated against some of the terminated officials in connection with alleged irregularities.
The action is being viewed as part of the Centre’s broader effort to restore transparency, accountability and public confidence in the functioning of the NTA following nationwide concerns over examination paper leaks.
The move is part of a broader push to reform the agency’s functioning, with more corrective measures expected in the coming days.
This comes as the Congress Party is protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak row.
Apart from the dismissals, legal and criminal proceedings are also set to be initiated against some of the officials.
On July 22, the Education Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that the NTA was functioning with only 24 permanent employees against a sanctioned strength of 39 posts.
The agency has also been relying on 73 contractual employees and 124 outsourced personnel to manage its operations. (JKNS)