'Colleges told not to allow union intervention in admissions'

Kolkata: State Education minister Partha Chatterjee made it clear in the Assembly on Monday that the student union will have no role to play in the admission process in educational institutions across the state.

"Collection of money for the purpose of admission in educational institutions is a social disease. We have instructed all colleges and universities across the state that no student representative should be involved in the admission process. Admission will be on the basis of merit and online based," Chatterjee said in response to a number to concerns of several MLAs in the state over the issue of admission.

Chatterjee reiterated that students need not have to be physically present in educational institutions for admission and will have to deposit admission fees in the bank accounts of the concerned college in which his/her name figures in the merit list.

"The institutions have been instructed to ensure that no outsiders can play any role in admission. If it is found that a teaching or non-teaching staff of a particular institute is involved in the collection of money, the department will act tough and stern action will be taken," he added.

He urged the MLAs in the Assembly to bring to the notice of the Higher Education department if they find any specific case of irregularity in the admission process.

Speaking on the issue of vacant seats, Chatterjee said that there are 4.5 lakh seats across the state in 541 educational institutions and added that the dates for admission have been extended to ensure that there are no vacant seats.

Talking on the state's plan to introduce physical education in Class IX and X, the minister added that recruitment of teachers is suffering due to several legal obligations regarding the same.