Patna: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has cancelled the matriculation examination for Hindi Paper-I that was scheduled for tomorrow.
The decision was taken after the subject's question paper was mistakenly distributed at an examination centre in Purnia district on Saturday.
"The first paper of Hindi for those who opted for it as their second Indian language has been cancelled. The second paper of Hindi will be held as per schedule. The first papers of subjects like Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Bhojpuri will also be held as per schedule," Principal Secretary (Education) Rajneesh Kumar Mahajan said on Sunday.
Mahajan added that the packets of Hindi Paper-I questions were opened and distributed by the invigilators at Surya Narayan Singh Yadav Inter College in Purnia to Urdu examinees. Some of the examinees even wrote their papers.
"We will take action in the matter. We will find out the persons behind such an irresponsible act and punish them," he said.
The principal secretary said the quest to hold fair examination was on and more strictness would be observed during the papers on Monday.
"We have already expelled 620 examinees. A probe is on into the use of unfair means at examination centres and more centres could be cancelled," Mahajan added.
Bihar faces a national outcry after the reports of rampant use of unfair means in the ongoing matriculation examination.
Taking cognisance of the media reports, the Patna High Court sought a reply from the state government while the Bihar Human Rights Commission directed top officials to put a check on the mass use of unfair means in the examinations.
Examinations for five out of total seven subjects have been held so far. The exam ends on March 24.
The outcry forced the state government to take swift action. Over 900 persons, involved in copying or helping their wards use unfair means, were arrested yesterday.
