Bhubaneswar: Scores of students from the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) on Monday staged a gherao of the official residence of Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Premananda Nayak, demanding the conduct of the final semester examinations and postponement of the OJEE counselling dates immediately.
According to reports, many students missed the on-line final semester examinations, conducted by the University in August this year due to some technical issues. At that time the varsity had promised to conduct an alternative off-line examination for the students. However the announced off-line examination is yet to be conducted.
Meanwhile, despite getting good ranks in OJEE, many students couldn’t get admission as they had not appeared for the last semester examinations.
The agitating students gheraoed the official residence of the minister to press for their demands.
“We put our problems before the minister and he has assured us to make alternative arrangements to conduct an off-line examination soon,” said Paban Swain, a student.
“Most of the students faced a lot of hassles while appearing the on-line examinations. So we have requested the minister to conduct an off-line examination. Besides, we have also requested him to conduct the back and special examinations soon. The responses from the minister were positive.”
The students withdrew the agitation following assurances by the minister to look into the grievances within a week.
“We will take up the matter with the Joint secretary and Vice Chancellor of BPUT. Proposal for conducting an off-line examination has been made to the University. The Chief Minister is likely to take the final decision on it within a week,” said Nayak.