Majority students don't have bank accounts, face hassle in online admission

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Mandatory mention about details of bank accounts has come in the way of many students seeking admission into various colleges in the State through an online system.

Besides free admission the Education Department has decided to pay Rs 1,000 as monthly mess dues for those staying in hostels and an additional amount of Rs 1,000 to all students for buying textbooks. For this purpose all the students must mention their bank details in the admission forms so that the matter can be taken up from the initial stage and there is no delay in depositing money in their bank accounts.

"The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) has already started the process of online admission of students into various colleges in the State. But a huge number of students are in a fix as they do not have individual bank accounts. The problem has become more acute due to the ongoing COVID situation across the State and tough lockdown in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district. Majority of banks are reluctant to open new accounts. Over 90 per cent of branches of various banks including private ones are now closed in Guwahati due to lockdown. Under such circumstances students will have to wait till the situation becomes normal to open their bank accounts," a source said.

As per the SEBA schedule the entire admission process will be completed by July 31.

Sources in the State Bank of India, HDFC and few other banks opening of new accounts of such a huge number of students within a very short time will not be possible. "Due to the present situation the banks are operating with minimum staffs only to conduct urgent transactions. Paper works such as opening of accounts are being avoided," the source said.

Parents and students have urged the Education department to urgently consider the present situation and come out with a solution.

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