India, July 27 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the state has not witnessed a single paper leak in the past five years, asserting that the government's recruitment process remains secure and that government jobs will be awarded only on the basis of merit.

The statement came after Punjab Police uncovered an alleged cheating racket during the recent Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination. According to the government, 31 people, including 21 candidates and 10 handlers, were arrested for allegedly attempting to facilitate cheating using high-tech devices such as pen cameras, wireless earpieces and modified mobile phones.

The government said the alleged conspiracy was detected during the examination itself, preventing ...