Students, parents affected by delay in engg. counselling

The postponement of the general counselling for engineering seats following the Supreme Court order has put parents and students who had come to Chennai for the counselling in a tight spot.

Many parents, who had travelled from remote districts, were stranded in the city. While many of them received intimation from Anna University’s Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission committee, it was too late for them to cancel their tickets or accommodation. Many of them turned up at Anna University early on Friday, since they had not received information.

“By the time we heard the news of the Supreme Court order, we had already arrived in Chennai. We have two days before our return, but we do not feel like exploring the city since my son’s future is still unsure,” Palanivel from Kanyakumari said.

According to M. Rajamanickam from Pollachi in Coimbatore district, he had almost boarded his train when a friend called him about the development. He has not yet received an intimation of the postponement from Anna University though his son’s counselling was scheduled for Saturday. Mr. Rajamanickam has lost some money due to cancellation of tickets and accommodation.

Many are debating between postponing their return trip or coming back when the revised dates are announced.

“When we asked officials, they were unclear on when the counselling would take place. If it is a delay of one or two days, then we can stay here. Otherwise it will be too expensive,” R. Anitha, a student from Tiruchi, said.

Even for parents in Chennai, the uncertainty is worrying. “My son has scored more than 95 per cent marks and we were confident of getting him admission in an engineering college and hence decided not to apply in any arts and science college,” said V. Sundari.

The Supreme Court has given the All India Council of Technical Education a week to clear applications for the pending approval of technical colleges. According to Rhymend Uthariaraj, secretary of TNEA, only after AICTE completes this process could the date of counselling be decided.