1 month ago
Discrepancies in NTA finances trigger privilege motion
There's a big problem in India's Parliament.
The government gave two different sets of numbers about the money the National Testing Agency (NTA) makes and spends.
This happened when two different MPs asked about it.
One MP, V. Sivadasan, is very upset and says the government is lying.
He thinks this is a big deal because Parliament should get the right information.
Another person, Abha Dev Habib, agrees and says the government is making Parliament look silly.
The NTA runs important exams like NEET, and it's supposed to have 39 permanent workers, but Sivadasan says there are none, only 24 people temporarily working there.
The government says they will look into it.
Government provided two sets of inconsistent data on NTA's income and expenditure for 2019-2024.
MP V. Sivadasan moved a privilege motion against junior education minister Sukanta Majumdar.
Income figures differ in both replies, with Sivadasan's reply showing higher figures.
NTA has 39 permanent posts, but only 24 employees currently on deputation, with 15 posts vacant.
Email sent to higher education secretary Vineet Joshi for clarification on data discrepancies.
- Who
- Junior education minister Sukanta Majumdar, MPs Vivek K. Tankha and V. Sivadasan
- What
- Discrepancies in NTA's income and expenditure data provided to Parliament
- Where
- Parliament of India
- When
- July 22 and July 31, 2024
- Why
- To provide information on NTA's finances and employee appointments
Government's Position
Opposition's Position
Data Accuracy
Government's Position
The government has provided data as per their records, and any discrepancies may be due to different reporting periods or methodologies.
Opposition's Position
The data provided by the government is inconsistent and misleading, constituting a breach of parliamentary privilege.
Employee Appointments
Government's Position
The NTA has 39 permanent posts, with contractual and outsourced staff engaged as required.
Opposition's Position
The NTA has not appointed any permanent employees, with only 24 employees currently on deputation, and 15 posts vacant.
Key facts
- Minister Involved
- Sukanta Majumdar
- MPs Involved
- Vivek K. Tankha, V. Sivadasan
- Years Discrepancies Found
- 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
- NTA Permanent Posts
- 39
- Current NTA Employees
- 24 (all on deputation)
- Vacant Deputation Posts
- 15
Quotes
Abha Dev Habib
Former executive council member, Delhi University
“"Members have the right to receive truthful, accurate and consistent information from the government to enable them to discharge their parliamentary responsibilities effectively. Providing inconsistent or incorrect information tends to mislead the House and hinder the members in the discharge of their parliamentary duties. Thereby, it constitutes a breach of the privileges of the House and the members,"”
telegraphindia.com
“"There is no explanation on this.””
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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