Dhenkanal: Hundreds of aspirants for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) General Duty (GD) examination were denied entry to a private college centre in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district due to alleged seat shortage, triggering protests outside the venue.
According to sources, candidates, many of whom had travelled from various parts of Odisha and even neighbouring states, arrived at the centre located at Gobindpur expecting to appear for the computer-based test. However, they were left shocked when college authorities claimed there were insufficient computer systems to accommodate all examinees after the initial batch entered. “After half of the aspirants went inside, college authorities said that they did not have enough computer systems and cannot accommodate more. Around 140 of us were not allowed inside (in the first shift). When we demanded to speak to the authorities, they said we cannot do anything,” an aspirant, Deepak Sahu, told a local news channel.
While around 200 students appeared for the exam in all three sittings, around 400 were turned away, a source said.
Frustrated candidates staged a protest demanding accountability, questioning how admit cards were issued in such large numbers when the centre lacked adequate infrastructure.
Police from Gobindpur outpost and Dhenkanal Tehsildar Swadhin Kumar Behera reached the spot. The tehesildar held talks with the candidates and coordinated with SSC authorities to find a solution. “Some students could not appear for examination due to shortage of seats. We have informed SSC, who assured us that the exam will be rescheduled to accommodate all the students,” Behera told media.
He said that the exam will be cancelled and fresh dates will be announced. All information related to the examination will be communicated to the aspirants well in advance. He also mentioned that steps are being taken to prevent over-allocation of candidates beyond a centre’s capacity in future.
