Admission Row: CM seeks reconsideration of AICTE decision

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar for reconsideration of AICTE's decision to debar admissions into two premier diploma institutions in the State.

AICTE had earlier placed Government Polytechnics at Parlakhemundi and Berhampur under 'No Admission' category for the academic year 2018-19 for several deficiancies including shortage of regular faculty and non-availibility of qualified Principals.

In his letter to Javadekar, Patnaik stated that already AICTE has been apprised of the steps taken for recruitment of lecturers and adequate number of guests faculty have been engaged in both the premier educational institutes in the State.

With regards to the statutory procedure in appointment of Principals of government polytechnics has been followed as per the Cadre Rules of Polytechnic Lectures framed under the provision to Article 309 of the Constitution.

"Given the huge investment in terms of infrastructure, depriving the polytechnics of admissions on such grounds would be highly deterimental to the interest of the youth of the State," Patnaik wrote in his letter.

Patnaik has sought intervention of the Union Minister in the matter for reconsideration of the decision of the AICTE and restoration of extension of approval for full strength of both the institutes.