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Uncertainty shrouds engineering counselling

BHUBANESWAR: Even as students seeking admission into engineering colleges have started arriving in the capital, uncertainty is still continuing over conduct of counselling process by Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

A helpless JEE that coordinates the admission process of engineering and medical colleges in the State was unable to give a clear picture a day after private engineering colleges bluntly declared not to participate in the counselling.

The Orissa Private Engineering Colleges Association (OPECA) had even warned if JEE wanted to go ahead with counselling process, they could do that at their own risk.

“We have not yet cancelled the counselling process as no information has been received from State Government in this regard. The opening day of counselling for admission into private engineering colleges will begin from July 18,” JEE Chairman R.R. Das said.

He said on the first day students belonging to Non-Resident Indian (NRI) category had been invited to choose their respective colleges. More than 3,000 seats are reserved for NRI students.

Mr. Das said as many as 18 students had applied under this category. However, JEE chairman could not clarify as to how these students would take admission in event the private engineering colleges stuck to their stance of backing out from the process.

On subsequent days, more trouble is looming large for these JEE authorities as students under All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) will be present at Orissa University for Agriculture Technology (OUAT), venue for counselling, for admission. About 8,000 students under AIEEE have registered for admission.

The Department of Industry that supervises affairs of engineering colleges in the State said the counselling would continue as per the schedule. “Counselling for admission will be undertaken as per the existing law. We will be waiting for Supreme Court verdict to take a decision,” Industries Secretary Ashok Dalwai said.

Although another round of meeting was held by senior functionaries of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) and secretary, reports said that no formula could be evolved to diffuse the controversy.

OPECA has been opposing certain sections in the Orissa Professional Educational Institution (regulation of admission and fixation of fee) Act, 2007. Private engineering colleges wanted liberty to fill up the seats, which would be falling vacant if there were not enough NRI students.

Moreover, the State Government’s reported attempt to convince the private engineering college operators to participate in the counselling process under the existing law proved to be futile. OPECA Secretary Binod Das said they did not want further discussion with State Government over the issue.

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