Students not allowed to attend counselling due to late arrival

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, August 4

The Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) authorities did not allow six students to attend counselling for admission to BTech agriculture engineering (four-year programme) as they reached a few minutes late at venue. The students alleged that the university did not mention in the admission announcement on its website that entry would be not allowed after 10 am.

The students, who were from far flung areas of Punjab, said the office of the Registrar had informed in the announcement that candidates could attend counseling on August 4 at 10.00 am in the Jacob hall of PAU. The students alleged that they found it difficult to search the venue as they were not aware of it.

Bhupinder Bhangal, who came from Nangal, Ropar, said, “I reached the university at 9:45 am. I had to ask other students about the venue but no one was aware of it. Then security guards misled me and I reached an auditorium. I reached 15 minutes late and they did not allow me to attend the counselling.”

Arashdeep Singh, who also claimed to reach 10 minutes late, said, “I have visited various colleges and universities and attended counseling in the last days but everyone was sympethetic towards students coming from far-flung areas. Despite several requests, the authorities did not listen to us.”

The students also visited the Vice-Chancellor’s office to complain about it but he was not available. Then they met officials at the Registrar’s office.

“An official at the Registrar’s office told us that there was no rule to restrict the entry of students in such circumstances. She also called up the Dean, College of Agricultural, but he did not allow us to enter the counselling,” said Bhupinder.

Dr Jaskaran Singh, Dean College of Agriculture Engineering, said, “The time of the counselling was mentioned in the announcement and we closed the door of the hall on time. We can’t allow students who come late to attend counselling When they can’t reach on time on the date of admission how can they be punctual in classes?”