Dispur's lack of clarity on seat reservation prime reason
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Colleges in Assam are in a fix to start the admission process for various undergraduate (UG) courses due to lack of clarity of the State Government on the policy of reservation of seats for the passouts from the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
In August this year, the Higher Education department has issued an official order asking the colleges and state universities to exclusively reserve 75% seats for the AHSEC students for admission into UG courses. Only 25% seats will be reserved for the CBSE passouts. The order caused widespread repercussion and protests forcing the Education minister Dr Ranoj Pegu said the board-based seat reservation policy will not be applicable in urban areas where a considerable number of students are from CBSE.
"It has been more than a month since the Class XII results were announced. But colleges have not yet received the revised formal directive from the State Government on the board based policy of reservation of seats. We have either finalized or are in the final stage of preparing merit lists for UG admissions. We are in a dilemma regarding publication of the lists. It will be in the greater interest of students of the Higher Education department immediately issues its revised seat reservation policy. Colleges cannot act on verbal statement of the Education minister," the Principal of a leading college in the city said.
In Gauhati Commerce College (GCC), 65% of the seats in UG courses used to be reserved for the AHSEC passouts till 2020 on the ground that State students should get a scope for higher education. The college had prepared a merit list on the formula. The relaxation on seat reservation assured by the Education minister Dr Pegu has put them in a fix.
B. Borooah College is ready to publish a merit list soon. "Till we get the written official communication that the 75:25 reservation policy stands cancelled, it will be difficult to publish the merit list and admission dates. Colleges will be at the receiving end in case another order is issued by the government after admitting students based on the reservation formula," a teacher said.
In the prestigious Cotton University (CU) students seeking admission in UG courses have not even been able to submit admission forms. The 75:25 formula is an obvious reason for the inordinate delay, a teacher said.
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