Bhubaneswar: Following an order for a departmental inquiry into the age fudging allegation against Director of Higher Education Prof Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, the official today clarified the charges are baseless and he has not done anything wrong.
Talking to OTV over telephone, Patnaik said, “Whatever has been telecast on TV channels regarding my age has saddened me. During my service career I have never violated the law.”
When asked about the talks on his Matriculation exam passing out age of 14, Patnaik stated, “In 1971, I had appeared for the HSC exam and there was no age restriction during those years. If someone was able to grasp course subjects, he/she was allowed to sit in that class. As per my knowledge, the norm of minimum 15 years age for appearance in the HSC exam was implemented in 1992.”
Negating the age fudging charges again, the Higher Education director added, “When I was employed as a lecturer, the government should have barred me during the time of appointment itself.”
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He further stated, “The Higher Education department has written to the Board of Secondary Education asking to clarify how I was allowed to sit in the HSC exam. Therefore, they can tell in detail on the issue.”
Notably, the Higher Education department Additional Secretary had written to the Board of Secondary Education Secretary to probe into the age fudging allegations and submit a no-objection certification if issued to Patnaik to appear for the HSC exam at the age of 14.