In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the Bhoomi Sangharsh Samiti (BSS) have expressed concerns over the deteriorating conditions of varsity’s study and examination centres.
BSS’s chief Balak Ram, in a letter to IGNOU stated that the situation of exam and study centers has been getting worse from the past three to four years, triggering allegations of corruption and administrative negligence.
“Previously, IGNOU centres were hosted in reputed private institutions and prestigious government schools, known for their discipline and infrastructure.
However, sources allege that a nexus involving middlemen, contractors, and certain university officials has led to the relocation of these centres to far-flung government colleges and lesser-known institutions lacking proper facilities and basic infrastructure like accessible roads,” the letter stated.
The Samiti further alleged that well-functioning study centres were discontinued based on false complaints, paving the way for the selection of unsuitable locations through intermediaries and contractors.
The letter also raised concerns about the involvement of external agents and the growing influence of brokers in the process. “Due to false complaints against the study centres which were running for a long time, centres were not set up in reputed and popular colleges,” reads the letter.
Highlighting the risk to thousands of students, especially in schools operating in dual shifts, the Samiti warned that such arrangements could negatively affect student safety and academic performance.
Citing examples of better-managed centres in institutions like those under the Army and CRPF, the group urged immediate intervention and action from the authorities to restore transparency and maintain the university’s reputation.
The letter states that under pressure from some IGNOU officials and middlemen, the centers are now being set up in government schools running in two shifts.
It further states that with the help of some agents, brokers and with the support of some schools and college principals along with the seniors of IGNOU,E.P University are working together to select these schools as centres.
