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Vyapam fallout: MPPEB turns to technology to plug holes in system
The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) that is mired in a mega scandal has taken recourse to technology and “certified honest” officers to plug loopholes and spruce up its dented image, sources told HT.
The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) that is mired in a mega scandal has taken recourse to technology and “certified honest” officers to plug loopholes and spruce up its dented image, sources told HT.
Critics panned the MPPEB’s processes after the unearthing of the Vyapam scam that saw candidates bribe officials, rig examinations by deploying imposters to write test papers and supply forged answer sheets during a recruitment process conducted by the state-run board.
"Apart from technology, retired IAS officers and senior officers, who were praised for their honesty and sincerity, will supervise the whole process so that nobody can question the transparency and fair result," said MPPEB controller Tarun Pithode.
Watch:The A to Z of the Vyapam scam
During the scam, candidates were asked to leave their answer sheets blank that were later filled by bribed board officials. To stop such activities, the MPPEB has adopted a “hash code” technique.
“During the storage of answer sheets in the computer, a hash code will be generated. If someone tries to change something in an answer sheet, the hash code too will change and can be easily detected by us,” said MPPEB controller Tarun Pithode.
Another modus operandi rampant in the scam was impersonation. Board officials generated admit cards of candidates who gave money, but attached photographs of imposters who actually appeared for the exams.
To nip such chicanery in the bud, the MPPEB has decided to record biometric details, including fingerprints, of candidates appearing for its examinations. The data will be verified at the test centres and again while seeking admission in a college or a job.
“We have written a letter to the IT department so that biometric machines can be installed at MP Online Kiosk (a state government website). We will also send the details to respective departments and institutions so that they can be checked later,” Pithode said.
The board will also record on video activities at each exam centre so it can verify the footage if questions are raised about a certain candidate.
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