Students of the Khariar Autonomous College, Khariar have expressed their resentment over the apathy of the Government in increasing the number of seats in the Science degree course in the college.
The college at present has 64 seats in +3 Science whereas there are more than 500 applicants this year. What is a matter of greater discontent for the students is that only four out of the 58 students selected in the first phase are local.
“The poor students of the locality are not able to pursue their study as they are unable to go outside the district due to poverty,” said local students.
The students had stalled the admission process in the +3 course for last two days demanding increase of seats. When it was assured by the Education Secretary that the number of seats would be increased, they allowed the admission process to resume on the third day.
However, the students condemned the deployment of force inside the college premises debarring them to enter into the college premises.
“We are aggrieved that we were not allowed to enter the premises. When we had already said that we would not obstruct the admission process on the third day, they should not have obstructed our entry. It is unethical and insulting for the student community,” said president of Students’ Union Sridhar Barik.
The Students’ Union later faxed a memorandum to the district Collector demanding his intervention to increase seats. It has also drawn the attention of the Collector to the negligence of some lecturers in taking regular classes.
“We are going to hold a rally tomorrow and demonstrate peacefully in front of the college until our demand is fulfilled,” the students said.