Reconsider Admission Ban In Two Polytechnics, Odisha CM Urges Centre

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has urged the Human Resource Development ministry to reconsider the ban in the admission in two polytechnic institutes by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

In a letter to Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javedekar on Saturday, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the AICTE, New Delhi, has recently placed Government Polytechnics at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district and Berhampur in Ganjam district under ‘no admission’ category for 2018-19 academic session on the ground of shortage of regular faculty and non-availability of qualified principals.

He further informed that the state government has apprised the AICTE of its decision to recruit lecturers for these two government polytechnics. Besides, it has also informed the AICTE that pending completion of the recruitment process, adequate number of guest faculty have been engaged in the above institutes for smooth and sustained curricular activities.

“This apart, the statutory process with regard to the appointment of principals in government polytechnics is followed as per the cadre rules of polytechnic lecturers under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India,” he added.

Stating that many states are following the same procedure keeping in view the promotional interests and career progression of their polytechnic lecturers, the chief minister said given the huge investment made by the state in terms of land, building and other infrastructure, depriving the two polytechnics of admission on such grounds would be highly detrimental to the interest of the youths of the state.

Urging the Union minister to consider the above grounds, Naveen sought his personal intervention in the matter for reconsideration of the decision of the AICTE and restoration of extension of approval for full strength of these two institutes for the 2018-19 academic session keeping in view the larger interests and aspirations of the youths of the state to pursue diploma education.