Fact Check: Colleges, Universities in Odisha to reopen from February 10?

Bhubaneswar: Amid closure of educational institutions in Odisha due to the COVID-19 situation, a fake letter is being circulated on various social media platforms regarding reopening of colleges and universities in the state from February 10.

The Higher Education Department of the Odisha Government today issued a clarification in this regard.

“A fake letter is circulating in social media purportedly conveying decision of Higher Education Department to reopen colleges and universities from 10th Feb’2022. It is hereby clarified that no such decision has been taken by the state government,” the department tweeted.

A fake letter is circulating in social media purportedly conveying decision of Higher Education Department to reopen colleges and universities from 10th Feb’2022. It is hereby clarified that no such decision has been taken by the state government.

— ଉଚ୍ଚଶିକ୍ଷା ବିଭାଗ, ଓଡିଶା ସରକାର 🇮🇳 (@DHE_Odisha) January 30, 2022

Below is the fake letter.

Due to sharp rise in the COVID-19 cases, the Odisha Government had announced closure of colleges, universities, and technical educational institutions in the state from January 10, 2022.

“All Colleges/ Universities/ Technical Educational Institutions (other than Medical Colleges/Nursing Colleges & Institutions under control of Health & FW Deptt.) under the superintendence of Government of Odisha shall remain closed with effect from 10th January, 2022,” an official order said.

“The Authorities of Colleges/ Universities/ Technical Educational Institutions shall take all appropriate measures for conducting classes through online/ virtual/ video/ other alternative methods of learning mode,” it said.

“All hostels in such academic institutions shall also remain closed with effect from 10th January, 2022. Students shall be advised to avoid staying in the hostel in the interest of their personal health. However, scholars, researchers and students who desire to stay in hostel for research/ project works or other academic activities may be permitted to do so subject to student (s) giving undertaking to that effect to the appropriate authorities of the concerned institutions,” the order said.