PU prof flags denial of admission to Kashmir’s migrant students

Kashmiri migrant students have been denied admissions this year by the Panjab University, which is contrary to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines in providing “concessions via additional seats” to them, vice-president of All India federation of university and college teachers’ organisation (AIFUCTO) Dr Jagwant Singh has written to the vice-chancellor.

In a letter to the V-C, Singh has stated that due to difficult circumstances in the life of Kashmiri migrants, Union ministry of human resource and development has been allowing 5% additional seats in each course since 2010.

“In the book of instructions, university made the category provisional as pending clarification from Govt of India. However, this year no such letter has been received from government and consequently admission has been denied to Kashmiri migrants, reads the letter.

Dr Jagwant pointed to the MHRD letter of March 2015 letter which asked the universities to “continue the benefit till further orders.” Since no letter has been issued this year, 2015 letter’s contents should continue.

President of Kashmir Sahayak Sabha Chandigarh, Romaish Pandita said, “Last year the Kashmiri migrants who had got admission continue to pursue their studies but this year those who applied were denied admission in the first counselling.”

“Fresh registration, exclusively for Kashmiri migrants should be opened. This year, even the professional and technical institutes have not given any relaxation in eligibility criteria to the migrants.”

However, DCDC and also the controller of examination, PU, Prof Parvinder Singh, said, “The admissions were delayed for two days but they were never denied. The V-C had himself gone during the counselling to get the admissions done for the Kashmiri students.”

V-C Prof Arun Kumar Grover was not available for the comment.

UGC had said

Increase in intake capacity up to 5% course-wise.

Reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical/professional institutions.

Waiving off domicile requirements.

Relaxation in cut-off percentage up to 10% subject to minimum eligibility requirement.