Videos show chits being passed to HSC candidates using bamboo sticks

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Blatant malpractices were observed at an examination centre at Shirur, in Beed district, during the HSC Biology paper examination on Wednesday.Videos circulated on social media show some people offering chits to candidates using bamboo sticks, and some even climbing on window lintels to provide study material. This has raised serious doubts over the quality of vigilance at the exam centre.When contacted, Beed education officer Priyarani Patil said a detailed report has been sought from local authorities in Shirur. "All exam centres had been asked to beef up surveillance during the board exams, and different squads were also in action in the urban and rural areas. Despite this, malpractice cases have been reported in Shirur. Stern action will be taken once an official report from the block education officers is received," she said.Beed district collector Vivek Johnson did not respond to calls and text messages seeking his comments.As per official data, the Beed district has reported 10 cases of malpractice during the Biology paper, but it did not mention the alleged malpractice at Shirur. Beed district has reported a total of 39 malpractice cases during the HSC exam so far, which is the highest in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.Earlier, at the outset of the HSC exam, a major examination malpractice scandal was reported at an exam centre in Chousala in Beed district, with authorities registering an offence against seven employees.