SC panel tells DU: make uniform admission cutting across categories

New Delhi, June 17 On Monday, as students raced against the deadline to submit admission forms at Delhi University, Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental was meeting Buta Singh, chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, to answer questions on different admission criteria for reserved and ‘general’ category students.
Here’s why: while general category students have around 300 combinations of college and courses to fill out, ST and SC students have only 30 options. And a different form to fill.
Singh said he took up the issue with the university vice-chancellor following representation from the Ambedkar Students Organisation of India regarding the “arbitrary admission procedure for reserved category students” in DU.
According to Singh, among the list of complaints is the separate admission forms made for SC/ST students. Also, unlike general category students who do not have to submit any certificate with their forms, students from reserved category have to submit copies of SC/ST certificate, marksheet, provisional certificate, and proof of date of birth. As per admission rules, the documents are to be provided while submitting admission forms.
Singh said a committee has been formed to look into the matter. “Despite the fact that the Minority Commission has made it mandatory for universities to follow welfare activities for reserved category, DU has not been following them,” he said.
He said the students’ organisation also told him that reserved-category students who had already taken admission through quota once were refused fresh forms this year if, for some reason, they wanted to change course or college mid-stream.
The university contends that since such students have already taken “advantage” of the quota once, they will not be allowed to take admission under it again.
Deputy Dean of Student Welfare G S Tuteja told Newsline that if a student of reserved category leaves a college after admission, he/she is required to declare the decision for opting out and give a valid reason. “We do not give forms in case that does not happen,” Tuteja said.
Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental refused to comment on any of the issues and told Newsline that he is answerable only to the committee formed by the Scheduled Castes Commission. “All this has arisen out of confusion in some people’s minds regarding the admission procedure,” Pental said. “I will explain that to the SC Commission.
“Other than that I will try to incorporate changes for the better if necessary.”
Buta Singh said, “Reserved category students face hardship (right) from the time of getting forms. Delhi University should devise a system by which all kinds of problem are removed.”
Scheduled Castes panel says:* General students get 300 combinations of college and courses; ST/SC students have only 30 options*l Why separate admission forms for reserved students?* Unlike unreserved category, SC/ST applicants have to submit all documents along with admission form* DU not following mandatory ‘welfare activities for reserved category’ students
Hamari Jamatia
Posted online: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 10:42:27Updated: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 10:42:27
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