A few days after the Higher Education Department sought certain clarifications from the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) about the alleged age fudging allegation against department's Director Prof Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, he on Wednesday 'clarified' that he has never violated the law.
Patnaik has landed in a controversy that he appeared at the High School Certificate (HSC) examinations at the age of 14 in 1971.
"During my service career, I have never violated the law. In 1971, I had appeared for the HSC exam and there was no age restriction during those years. As per my knowledge, the norm of minimum 15 years age for appearance in the HSC exam was implemented in 1992," said Patnaik to a TV channel.
He said when he was employed as a lecturer, the Government should have barred him during the time of appointment itself.
Notably, the Higher Education Department Additional Secretary had written to the BSE Secretary to probe into the age fudging allegations and submit a no-objection certification if issued to Patnaik to appear for the HSC exam at the age of 14.