Odisha Minister Arun Sahoo Urges Ramesh Pokhriyal To Not Conduct Exams In September

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Higher Education Minister Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo once again requested the Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to not make the final year examinations of UG and PG terms 2020 mandatory.

In a letter to the Union Minister, Sahoo has highlighted several points that would make the students in Odisha vulnerable to COVID-19 infections in case the exams are held, according to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. This is the second letter from the state higher education minister, after July 9, urging to suspend examinations for this semester.

Instead, Sahoo urged Pokhriyal to allow the state universities to adopt alternative method of evaluation in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state minister also said that the students who won’t be satisfied with the evaluation can appear for the exams in November-December when the situation improves in the state and in the country as well.

It may be recalled that on July 6, the UGC had issued final guidelines for conducting the final year examinations by September-end. Despite repeated requests, the education regulatory body is firm on its decision to conduct the examinations for all universities across the country by September-end.

Here’s copy of the Sahoo’s letter: