Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Policies of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) are reportedly acting as a barrier and blocking University Grants Commission (UGC) funds to engineering colleges of Odisha. The policy of BPUT of not granting permanent affiliation to the colleges under it is depriving UGC assistance to such colleges.

As per UGC norms, colleges with permanent affiliation are eligible to receive central assistance (UGC funds) under Section 12 (B) of UGC Act, 1956.

However, instead of providing permanent affiliation, the technical university of Odisha renews affiliations of its colleges every year. The board of management of BPUT had also sought an amendment in the rules of the University but the authorities are yet to take any steps.

"There is nothing to lose for the Odisha government or the university as not even a single penny will be spent from their pockets. The colleges should not be deprived of the benefits of Section 12 (B). It is very unfortunate that the university is not taking any steps even after being apprised about it," said member of BPUT's board of management, Sunil Sarangi.

On the other hand, UGC Chairman Prof. Virander Singh Chauhan, during his visit to Bhubaneswar, said that inclusion of the colleges in Section 12 (B) is the sole responsibility of BPUT.

"Inclusion under Section 12 (B) means you will be eligible to receive government funds. Private institutes are also included under 12(B) but it is not necessary that government will fund them. 12(B) is just a criterion but I cannot comment on the policies the government regarding technical education," said Chauhan.

A technical institute will be eligible to be included under Section 12(B) if it has adequate infrastructure, provides quality education and possesses permanent affiliation. While many engineering colleges in Odisha fulfil the first two criteria, lack of permanent affiliation is preventing them from getting financial assistance.

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As per statistics, BPUT, established in 2002 has provided affiliation to 88 private and a few government engineering colleges in Odisha. But it has not granted permanent affiliation to a single college till date.

"BPUT is renewing affiliation every year and UGC states that colleges without permanent affiliation will be not provided financial assistance. The colleges that have completed 10 years should be granted permanent affiliation immediately so that they get a level playing field to compete with government colleges and get assistance from the UGC," said Secretary of Odisha Private Engineering College Association (OPECA), Binod Das.

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Meanwhile, BPUT Vice-Chancellor Chitta Ranjan Tripathy said that if required the affiliation policy of the university will be amended after a meeting of the board of management.

"There is a need to amend the statutes for permanent affiliation. I am sure that government is working towards it and after it is implemented in our statutes I will check it. If there is provision for permanent affiliation then we will surely provide it," said Tripathy.

The lackadaisical attitude of BPUT is the reason engineering colleges in State are not getting due assistance for their development, rued experts.

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