More Government Engineering Colleges planned Higher Education Single Window System Private Engineering Colleges

More Government Engineering Colleges planned

Self Financing Colleges need to follow Single Window System of Admission

More Government Engineering Colleges planned

Chennai: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has suggested opening more engineering colleges in the State to overcome the challenges posed to the fulfilment of the objectives of social justice in education, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said here on Friday.

“I met the Chief Minister yesterday [Thursday] after the [High Court] judgement [that struck down mandatory seats surrender by private engineering colleges]. He suggested that one way out was [for the Government] to start more engineering colleges,” Mr. Ponmudy said. A proposal was being worked out to ensure that the students from the poor and marginalised classes had access to higher technical education at a reasonable fee. The possibility of opening a government engineering college in each district would be pursued.

Mr. Ponmudy described the High Court verdict as “surprising” and one that he was “not able to comprehend.” It came at a time when 62 of the 76 minority engineering colleges had agreed to surrender 50 per cent of the seats to the Government for admissions under the single window system. Eleven colleges had surrendered more than 50 per cent of the seats. Of the 161 non-minority colleges, 110 had surrendered 65 per cent of the seats, and 15 colleges, seats above the stipulated 65 per cent. “We have no problem giving up even this 65 per cent if anyone can fill 100 per cent of the seats through the single window system,” Mr. Ponmudy said. He was prepared to hand over the responsibility to a committee, comprising representatives of the High Court, the Government and the private engineering colleges, if something towards this end could be worked out.

The Government wanted to protect the interests of students from rural and marginalised backgrounds, who should have easy access to higher education. He asserted that the Government would do all that was possible to ensure that this goal was achieved. It would appeal against the High Court order.

Warning to Colleges

Mr. Ponmudy requested private engineering colleges not to collect any amount over and above that specified by the committee appointed to fix fees. If the Government received any complaints – and complaints could be even anonymously sent to him or the Director of Technical Education – his department would initiate criminal action against the managements. Warning of severe action against such colleges, he said the State Government would press the AICTE for their de-recognition.

More Government Engineering Colleges planned

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