Partha challenges Oppn’s claim of corruption in online admissions

Challenging the Oppositions’ claim of corruption in online admission system in colleges, the state education minister Partha Chatterjee said that he would take immediate steps if anyone can bring ten students who were deprived of securing admission despite of having necessary qualifications.

Chatterjee said this while tabling the education Budget in the Assembly on Thursday. He said that the Opposition has raised allegations of corruption in the online admission procedure. “I would like to urge them to give me the names of the meritorious students who have failed to secure admission for such reasons despite of having required marks. I would take their responsibility,” Chatterjee said adding: “Let them bring 10 such students those had faced trouble in getting admission if he or she is eligible to get it.”

He further said that minimum regulations in recruiting teachers were not followed during the Left Front regime. “Whatever happens, the present government will never compromise with the quality of academic qualification in recruiting teachers. What would be the future of the students if quality of academic qualification of teachers is compromised?” he raised the question. 

Taking a dig at the Left Front, Chatterjee further said that the people were unaware that during whose regime, two popular private players in education sector had got established in the state. “Who had engaged so many para-teachers? We are also sympathetic about them. But a problem that had remained unsolved in 34 years of the Left Front rule, then how it can get solved only in 5 years after the change of guard in the state?” he questioned.

“We have four-point direction for education – expansion, equity, excellence and employability,” said Chatterjee adding that their motto is to bring maximum people under the purview of education. Thus, expansion is required so that educational institutions are easily accessible. He further said that Budget for the Swami Vivekananda West Bengal Government Merit cum Means Scholarship Scheme has been increased from Rs 45 crores to Rs 200 crores.

He said: “We have already given a proposal to the state finance department that the scholarship for 1,768 engineering students to increase from Rs 1400 top Rs 4000 per month. Similarly, for medical it will be increased from Rs 1500 to Rs 4000 per month, BA students will get Rs 2000 instead of Rs 750 every month while B Sc and B Com students will be getting Rs 2750 and Rs 2000 per month respectively. In graduation level 57,000 students will be benefited,” he said.