Don't pay anything extra for admission: Education dept

Kolkata: The state Education department has put up billboards in front of colleges, asking the students not to pay anything extra to get admission.

The matter came to light, after a student seeking admission in St. Paul's College, alleged that he had paid Rs 90,000 to the leader of a student union to get a seat. The union leader had taken his marksheet, which he said would be returned to him after he takes admission in the college. The union leader not only failed to give him a seat but refused to return the money. The student has lodged a complaint with Amherst Street police station in this regard.

Partha Chatterjee, state Education minister, said the only criterion to get admission in colleges is the required marks. "Don't pay any money to anyone. If you have the requisite marks, rest assured that you will get admission," said Chatterjee to the students.

In the past few years, there have been allegations against some college unions of taking money from students to give admission. Chatterjee assured that stern action will be taken against those involved in collecting money. He said the state government has pledged to improve the quality of higher education and any attempt to thwart it will be dealt with seriously.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly asked to set up non-political unions in colleges.