'Faith in exam system eroded': Pilot seeks Pradhan's exit, Centre-Wangchuk dialogue

Jaipur, Jul 17 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Friday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the Centre of failing to address recurring examination paper leaks and ignoring the concerns of students across the country. Speaking to reporters in Tonk, Pilot called on the Centre to initiate dialogue with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over paper leaks. "Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for nearly 19 days. The government should engage in dialogue and find a solution. The education minister should resign to restore the confidence of students," the Tonk MLA and former deputy chief minister said. Asserting that repeated paper leaks had eroded faith in the examination system, he said the Congress was running a nationwide campaign against irregularities in recruitment examinations and for reforms in the education sector. Additionally, targeting the Rajasthan government, Pilot alleged that the state's healthcare system had "collapsed", stating that maternal deaths and deficiencies in medical facilities reflected administrative failure. "There has been no accountability. The government's response has been insensitive, while people have lost confidence in the state's health system," he said. The Congress leader also accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of carrying out transfers of government employees with a vindictive mindset to serve political interests, saying that transfers should be governed by transparent rules and policy. Commenting on the controversy over ethanol-blended fuel, Pilot alleged that the policy had been implemented without adequate technical preparedness, resulting in problems for vehicle owners. He said the Congress would raise issues relating to education, healthcare, law and order and fuel policy during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. PTI SDA MPL MPL