Odisha student body brings serious charges against BPUT, demands probe

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, July 2:

The Biju Patnaik Students Association (BPSA), an association of engineering, diploma and degree students, has acused the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) of violating its own inter-college transfer policy in order to show undue favour to a particular private engineering college and sought Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s intervention in the matter.

In a letter to the chief minister, the convener of BPSA Somesh Mahapatra, has alleged that there is a financial deal and quid proquo between the BPUT authorities and some colleges under the Gandhi group of institutions to facilitate transfer of 10 students, who are in 2nd Year of their under graduate programme, from GIET, Bhubaneswar to Gandhi Engineering College, Bhubaneswar in gross violation of the existing policy, which is applicable to all engineering colleges in the state.

After a media expose', the BPUT had decided to impose a ban on the inter-college transfer of students within 50 km radius on 7 May this year. The decision was taken in the wake of allegations of irregular inter-college transfer of students for admission- irrespective of ranks- and mismanagement in the technical and management colleges.

The Board also decided to put restrictions on the inter-college transfer for admission on health grounds and said only five students in each department would be allowed to seek transfer in a year on health grounds.

“This entire process was taken as against the existing rule of transfer. While the policy states that a maximum of five students from each branch can be transfered to other colleges every year, but it seems all private college and management colleges are not looking into this aspect and by paying huge lump sum amount to the higher official of BPUT they are tweaking the system as per their mercy,”said the letter from BPSA convenor.

Mahapatra also informed that they have been able to collect clinching evidence in support of their allegations in the form of recorded video footage and audio clips that show BPUT officials are taking bribes and partying with senior officials of some private colleges.

The letter also accused NIC officials of foul play.

“During our investigation we found that NIC Officials are also showing favour to some specific colleges and sharing the students’ data as well as manipulating the system to provide benefit to one group,” said Mahapatra, adding, all the evidence including a DVD had been sent to chief minister’s office, office of the ADG, Crime Branch, office of the Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court and the Chief Justice of India seeking an independent probe into their allegations against BPUT and due audit of the convcerned private engineering colleges.