category Regional, shimla , , tags Regional, shimla , , DW BUREAU shimla Accorded a top priority to uphold the sanctity of examination, the state government has adopted a Zero Tolerance policy towards the use of any unfair means in examinations in order to encourage the honest and hard-working students. This was stated by Education Minister Rohit Thakur here today. Directions have been issued to all the private and government institutions to take appropriate steps to keep a strict vigil during the examinations and ensure stern action against those found guilty, he said. Malpractices in examinations, is a serious concern as it undermines the whole purpose of conducting the exams. Therefore, it has become the duty of the state government to ensure free and fair examinations and take all proactive measures to prevent the malpractices. Directions have been issued to constitute a special high-level committee at the university or education institution level to check and prevent the use of unfair means in the examinations and the committee would be held accountable, in case any such malpractices are found to be in use, said the Education Minister. Directions have been issued to the Vice-Chancellors of all the Private Universities to ensure the prevention of unfair means in examinations, he said adding that the cheaters involved in unfair practices during exams have to face the strictest action possible. To conduct fair exams the number of flying squads would be increased who would make surprise visits and check during examinations, he added. Apart from this, senior officers of the education department have also been directed to keep a vigil as the state government was viewing the use of unfair means in examinations seriously and would not make any compromise, said the minister. Water cess will not attract any financial burden on general public An official spokesperson of the state government informed here today that the State Government has imposed water cess only on hydro-power projects of the state and it will not put any financial burden on the common people. The spokesperson said that the implementation of water cess was aimed to increase the state s revenue and strengthen its economy, so that sufficient funds would be available for welfare schemes. He said that apart from Himachal Pradesh, the water cess was being imposed on hydropower projects in neighbouring state Uttarakhand and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well. He said that 172 hydro power projects have been brought under the purview of water cess. The water cess will be collected by the State Government from the hydro power projects keeping in view the size of the project and other parameters, he added. The implementation of the water cess will not have any financial implications on the general public of the state as the state government will collect this cess only from these hydro-power projects. The spokesman said that the state government has implemented the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Ordinance on March 10, 2023 and the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill, 2023 would also be brought in the upcoming assembly session, for which the state cabinet has already given its approval. (editor dailyworld.in)