Sharmili Mallick

Sambalpur: The authorities of Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur and School and Mass Education Department are at loggerheads over the conduct of Plus II examinations 2019 at the varsity campus beginning March 7.

Despite repeated missives by the varsity Vice Chancellor Atanu Kumar Pati to the Principal Secretary and Minister of the School and Mass Education department, the department has not paid any heed to the requests and decided to conduct the Plus II exams at the university.

On January 31, the VC in his third letter to the Principal Secretary of Mass and Education Department Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra stated, “There is acute shortage of space in the G.M. University and it is nearly impossible to hold the +2 CHSE examinations without hampering the studies of UG, PG, M.Phil and Ph.D student of the GM University numbering about 6,000.”

It is pertinent to mention that the GMU VC had written two letters with similar demands to the Mass Education department on December 22, 2018 and January 21, 2019.

The Sub Registrar of GMU Umacharan Pati said, “If the CHSE exams are conducted at the university, we have to suspend the classes till 1.30 pm on the days of the examinations due to which studies of the varsity students will be affected. As third semester beginning from third week of March, we have to finish the course at the earliest.”

“However, we have been directed to make arrangements to hold Plus II exams at the university. We are planning to conduct classes after 1.30 pm as we cannot deprive our students from studies,” added Pati.

As per reports, the School and Mass Education department has directed the university to allot all its 30 halls where as many as 1,400 of GM Junior College and various private colleges will appear for annual Plus II examinations this year.

Offices of the Odisha of State Open University, 5th Batallion office of NCC and Zonal office of Council of Higher Secondary Education also run from the university due to which the varsity is facing space constraints.

The Deputy Secretary of Mass Education Department Uttam Charan Pradhan informed, “The decision to hold Plus II exams at the varsity was taken by the Chief Secretary through video conferencing. The District Collector also assured that steps will be taken to resolve the issue at the earliest.”

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