Students fake disabilities to get seats in Odisha college

Puri: As many as 19 students have been found guilty of faking ailments to claim seats under the disability quota in SCS College, Puri.

The fraud was unearthed after the college authorities sent the disable certificates of 37 students, who had taken admission under the disability quota in the current academic session, for verification.

During verification, certificates of 19 students were found fake. However, it is surprising that the college staff engaged in the admission process failed to notice it.

Puri CDMO Bhaskar Samantray said, "Of the 37 applicants who claimed to be disabled; only 18 were genuine while 19 others were found faking physical ailments. They have forged the seal of the disability board and signature of doctors."

Meanwhile, the college authorities have assured of stern action against the errant students.

"We will inform the police about the matter and take action against the students as per the direction of the State government," said SCS College principal in-charge, Laxmidhar Mishra.

On the other hand, student union president of the college, Rabi Narayan Nayak alleged that such admission through fake documents is a regular process in the college and it is being carried out at the behest of some powerful persons.

It is worth mentioning that reports of irregularities in admissions into the Integrated B Ed course of the college had also hit the headlines last year.