Principal’s written assurance of commencing enrolment from August 1
Mail News Service
Ghatshila, July 30: Ghatshila College students, adversely affected by enrolment anomalies, resorted to a hunger strike since Thursday but the College Principal, Dr RK Chaudhary’s written assurance to start enrolment from August 1 ensured the lifting of the strike undertaken by 22 students. According to information, 70 students were victims of admission anomalies committed by the Ghatshila College authorities. Students had demanded that admissions be commenced by Thursday, July 28 so that the college could amend the flaws in admission process.
Ghatshila MLA Ramdas Soren and his Baharagora counterpart, Samir Mahanty held discussions on the matter with the College Principal, Dr RK Chaudhary that led to a decision that students who had secured 80 percent marks in their Matriculation examinations would be enrolled in the Ghatshila College. Simultaneously, it was agreed during the discussions that students who had to suffer the brunt of admission flows would be enrolled between August 1 and 16. The MLAs stated that it had been also decided that there would be an enhanced number of seats for students who appeared in the examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Board but they also made it clear that this arrangement had been made only for this period for students who had to suffer for flaws committed by the Ghatshila College.
The students who launched on a hunger strike since Thursday, were reportedly backed by All India Democratic Students’ Union (AIDSO). The same report stated that Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader, Vivek Mahapatra along with party activists arrived at the tent set up by the 22 students on hunger strike and accused the rival faction, AIDSO of taking the students for a ride because the Ghatshila College Principal had already issued a written statement that enrolment of the deprived students would commence on and from August 1. Mahanty accused, “Why are the AIDSO members backing these striking students even after the Principal’s written assurance that enrolment process will be initiated from August 1? Why are they misguiding these students? This is nothing short of dirty politics.”
Two girl students sitting on hunger strike, Lakshmi Namta and Ryia Aditya fainted and were rushed to the Ghatshila Subdivision Hospital. However, there has been no further information on their health status. However, seeing the two girl students becoming unconscious, the other striking students turned furious and backed by AIDSO activists, blocked the Ghatshila College Road.
On getting information, Ghatshila Block Development Officer, Kumar S Abhinav and Circle Officer, Rajiv Kumar reached Ghatshila College and enquired about the matter. They had a talk with the Ghatshila College Principal, Dr RK Chaudhary and ultimately it was decided that instead of August 1, the enrolment will commence as of today, Saturday, July 30. Not only was the strike called off but five students put in their enrolment forms today.
The students affected by enrolment flaws, demanded that they be taken in free of charges. The Ghatshila College Principal told the students that they would be provided concessions in college development fees but they would have to pay the full amount of examination fees. But he clearly asked the affected students to submit the required documents as per rules so that it could be ascertained the candidates who had suffered due to mistakes in the enrolment system.
