454 Pharmacist Recruitment Cheating Scam Happened with Government Collusion; Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh Must Resign: Pargat Singh 

Chandigarh, July 24, 2026: Former Education Minister and AICC Secretary MLA Pargat Singh, former Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and former MLA Kushaldeep Singh "Kikki" Dhillon addressed a press conference in Chandigarh today regarding the alleged cheating scam in the Punjab 454 Pharmacist Recruitment Examination, comparing it to the NEET-UG paper leak. They raised serious questions about the Punjab Government, demanded the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, and called for a high-level investigation into the matter.
They said that these incidents have jeopardized the future of thousands of young aspirants, yet the government has failed to fix accountability. They pointed out that Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has not even issued a single statement on the matter. They also accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Delhi leadership of maintaining complete silence, while actively engaging in politics over the NEET issue in Delhi.
Pargat Singh said that the allegations surrounding the 454 Pharmacist Recruitment Examination—including the operation of a cheating racket, the use of Bluetooth devices, the absence of signal jammers at examination centres, and violations of examination protocols—are extremely serious. He noted that the police FIR itself records several significant facts, making an impartial investigation even more necessary. According to him, such a large-scale scam could not have occurred without government involvement. 
Pargat Singh further alleged serious irregularities in the selection of examination centres, deployment of staff, and security arrangements. He demanded that the role of all officers and employees accused of violating rules be investigated impartially and that strict action be taken against anyone found guilty.
He said the most unfortunate aspect of the matter is that Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has not issued any clear statement. If such a major controversy has emerged regarding medical education and the recruitment process, the concerned minister must be held accountable. Similarly, he criticized Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains for remaining silent despite recurring controversies in the education sector and the problems being faced by teachers.
Pargat Singh said that the Congress views this issue not as a political matter but as a question concerning the future of lakhs of young people. He stated that while the NEET-UG paper leak affected lakhs of students across the country, the alleged 454 Pharmacist Recruitment scam has shattered the trust of thousands of young people in Punjab. Instead of protecting those responsible, strict legal action should be taken against them.
He demanded a high-level, independent investigation into the entire matter and called for the identification of the cheating mafia as well as all those who allegedly provided them with protection, followed by stringent legal action against them.