The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Web counselling: concern over delay in 2nd phase

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 29, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Web counselling: concern over delay in 2nd phase

Special Correspondent

Students who got admitted are in a dilemma whether to join the allotted college or try their luck again

Majority of students unaware that they can slide without paying any money
Beginning of classes last week has only heightened their confusion

HYDERABAD: The delay in announcement of the date and method of the second phase of web counselling for engineering admissions has led to confusion among students who got admitted. They are in a dilemma whether to join the allotted college or try their luck again in the second phase.

Students are worried that if they submit their allotment letters in the allotted colleges, they might not be able to leave the institution if a ‘better opportunity’ comes up in the second phase.

“Generally, colleges don’t like to lose students and they invariably create problems by seeking penal fee. Majority of the students are unaware they can slide without paying any money,” admitted a senior teacher.

The beginning of engineering classes last week has only heightened their confusion. If they don’t join, they will miss out on academics but if they shift later, they have to adjust to a new environment again.

With over 6,000 seats remaining vacant in the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC & ST) categories and they have to be moved to general pool as per rules, the admissions committee has no other way but to call the candidates again.

Vacant seats

Some of these vacant seats are in sought-after colleges and students would invariably prefer them over their present allotment. An additional 2,000 seats are likely to be added with the AICTE giving permission to new colleges.

The APSCHE Chairman, K.C. Reddy, had earlier admitted to a difference of opinion on offering vacant seats to candidates above the 54,000 rank. There is argument that candidates below the 54,000 rank got two opportunities - once through the direct counselling route and another through web counselling, so additional seats should be opened to candidates with ranks above 54,000.

A senior official said no decision was taken on whether to fill these seats through web counselling or direct counselling where students have to personally attend. However, Technical Education Commissioner L. Premchandra Reddy said the admission committee would meet soon to take a decision in this regard keeping in view the students anxiety. He assured that colleges will not charge any penal fee if students ‘slide’ to better courses/colleges and there was no reason to worry on this aspect.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh