Plans afoot for 15% NRI quota in engg admissions

Plans afoot for 15% NRI quota in engg admissions
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Plans afoot for 15% NRI quota in engg admissions. In a move that is likely bring about a windfall for the top private engineering and other professional colleges, the AP State Council for Higher Education is going to earmark 15 per cent of Category B seats for the NRIs completely from the next academic year.

Final decision likely to be taken tomorrow

Will it open up gates for selling of seats officially?

In a move that is likely bring about a windfall for the top private engineering and other professional colleges, the AP State Council for Higher Education is going to earmark 15 per cent of Category B seats for the NRIs completely from the next academic year. A final decision is expected to be taken at a meeting to be held on January 24.

The allotment of 15 per cent of seats out of the 30 per cent management quota seats is in fact not completely new as it was first implemented in 2011 itself. GO number 75 issued on July 28 clearly said that “the NRI seats (not exceeding 15 per cent of the sanctioned intake in each course) shall be filled on merit basis with NRI/NRI sponsored candidates who have passed the qualifying examination with not less than 50 per cent of aggregate marks or Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) equivalent to 5 on a scale of 10”.

But this was misused as many colleges have brazenly violated the spirit of it and sold of seats under that 15 per cent quota. The misuse was done in the name of NRI sponsored one, mentioned in the GO.

As complaints poured one, the AICTE has stepped in and restricted the private colleges to use only 5 per cent NRI quota. It has also made it amply clear that prior permission shall be taken from it before making allotments under this quota. It further stated that the amount collected from the students should be utilized for the development of infrastructure and student welfare in the respective colleges.

The AICTE norm was implemented both during the admissions in 2012 and 2013.

Finding it difficult to make money through this provision, some institutions have knocked the doors of the High Court last year in which the Court ruled that 15 per cent NRI quota can be restored subject to the condition that the admissions are made on merit basis. Even then, there were some allegations of irregularities. Some elite colleges have allegedly sold seats to the cash-rich students, irrespective of ranks. Officials of APSCHE feigned ignorance over those admissions last year saying that they have not received any complaints.

As the AICTE has also defunct after a Supreme Court verdict, the college managements have got a shot in the arm. Intense lobbying by the managements of colleges has reportedly forced the APSCHE to change its mind again and it was agreed in principle to allow allotment of the entire 15% of seats to the discretion at a meeting held recently. The final meeting is slated to be held on Friday.

The decision, if gets government’s nod, will certainly help the private colleges to open up gates to sell off seats ‘officially’, according to sources inside the Department of Higher Education. The decision may be taken before the issue of EAMCET notification, which is likely on February 10.

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