Amid the growing controversy over the NEET UG paper leak scandal, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh termed the incident unfortunate and harsh on students, while strongly criticising National Testing Agency (NTA) for losing credibility and failing to conduct a fool proof medical entrance examination.He demanded that states be given autonomy to conduct their own medical entrance tests, claiming that leaked papers were initially sold for Rs 5 lakh and later for Rs 30,000 as the exam date approached.Dr Balbir alleged that a medical mafia was thriving in BJP-ruled states and accused agencies including ED and CBI of operating like henchmen for the ruling political regime instead of curbing corruption.Expressing concern for students, he said, “I feel for these brilliant children. For over a year they did not go on holiday. They did not attend weddings. They kept preparing with such determination that some of them suffered a breakdown. Finally, when they appeared for the exam, they were told it was leaked. How unfair is that?”He said politicians were minting money by leaking papers while the public’s attention was being drawn towards petty religious debates.“It is so unfair that those who have money are buying the examination papers and those with merit are left struggling. Would you like to be treated by a doctor who cleared the NEET exam by illegal means?” Dr Balbir asked.He highlighted that over 90 entrance exams, including NEET and others, have been leaked so far and culprits are getting away even after being caught.He urged a return to the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) system conducted by states, which he said was more effective and fairer.Dr Balbir emphasised that repeated cancellations of NEET have demoralised students, with aspirants like Naina from Ludhiana expressing disappointment that their confidence and momentum are lost in re-conducted exams.On May 12, NTA announced that NEET-UG 2026, held on May 3 for nearly 24 lakh candidates, would be re-conducted after multiple inquiries confirmed the circulation of question sets before the exam.This follows the NEET-UG 2024 scandal that led to nationwide outrage, Supreme Court hearings, arrests, and a CBI probe into organised leak networks in Bihar and Jharkhand.Dr Balbir reiterated that state-run testing agencies are capable of conducting medical entrance exams efficiently and urged the Centre to restore autonomy to states in the larger interest of students.