No change in exam schedule

BHUBANESWAR: A day after ITI question papers were leaked, twice within 12 hours, the State Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (SCTEVT) on Wednesday suggested that it may have been the handiwork of a racket which operates in the neighbouring Jharkhand and Bihar.The Council did not cancel Wednesday’s theory paper examination on the grounds that it had received no proof of any leakage but intimated both the Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGET) and Industries Department about the developments.On Tuesday, the questions of Engineering Drawing paper for Electrician trade under the All India Trade Test (AITT) were leaked hours before the examination. The SCTEVT cancelled the examination after receiving permission from the DGET which holds the all-India examination.However, Wednesday’s examination continued as usual despite papers being leaked on Tuesday evening. “We have not received any proof of leakage yet. No such question paper has reached us. Yesterday, we had access to the question papers which were sent to DGET for verification. After receiving its consent, we called off the test,” Vice-Chairman Atul Das said.The back-to-back leak of question papers will be investigated by the Directorate of Technical Education and Training (DTET). Das said SCTEVT will also request the DGET and Industries Department for an inquiry by CBI or Crime Branch. “We follow a structured method which does not allow leakage of question papers and it has never happened in the past. We have strong reasons to believe that the question papers are coming in from Jharkhand and Bihar,” he asserted.Controller of Examination Dr LK Mohapatra said DGET had been intimated on the issue and its views were being awaited.The AITT is held by DGET across the country and it is conducted in the State by SCTEVT, a body  under the Industries Department. The AITT for Craftsmen under Craftsmen Training Scheme for Engineering and Non-Engineering Trades had started on July 22. As many as 40,159 candidates are appearing for the tests.The SCTEVT is also contemplating to suggest DGET to either change pattern of the examination and bring in grade systems or hold the tests state-wise. “State-wise conduct will bring in more responsibility for the state councils in maintaining transparency and vigilance,” Das said. The examination observers and flying squads have been asked to verify at their ends such leakage and report immediately.