Uncertainty ends, doubts persist

Sigh of relief for pvt colleges

The High Court ruling on Engineering counselling has put an end to the uncertainty but left behind concerns whether the process would go on without any hitch. The Eamcet was held on May 12 and the results were out on June 5. Since then, it has been a long wait for more than 2 lakh successful students. For one reason of the other, the counseling has been postponed, putting a question mark on the future of engineering aspirants. The issue of online counselling for Category B seats has become a major stumbling block for the aspirants and the protracted legal tangle has made the students restive. Nearly 15-20,000 students have gone out of the state and joined elsewhere.

The High Court ruling was by and large welcomed by over 70% of private engineering colleges which argue that it is better late than never. “We have not filed the case. It was filed by some colleges which wanted to sell off seats and they are few and far between. They too may not get any advantage now” Sagar, an owner of an engineering college in Guntur district said. Since most of the colleges have been thriving on reimbursement amount, they do not want to block the process.

But the actual worry was whether the process would go on without any hitch with the increasing intensity of agitations in Seemandhra region. Even the employees in that area have been contemplating to go on strike from August 12. The helpline centres nearing 35 in Seemandhra have been closed due to agitations. “We will evaluate situation on the day of counseling and take a decision to conduct it or not. As of now, we have decided to go ahead with the High Court directive” Jayaprakasha Rao told The Hans India.