Facing heat: Utkal University

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 7: Utkal University has rudely woken up to charges of lapses and malpractice in conduction of examinations.

Vice-chancellor L.N. Mishra, who today met senior bureaucrats of the education department, has referred the charges to Orissa crime branch.

The case began in June 2007 with allegations of lapses in marksheets of 2007 Plus-III final-year results. The controller of examinations then constituted a three-member committee, headed by the principal of Kamala Nehru Women’s College, Sailabala Senapati. In its August 14 report, the committee indicated major loopholes in the procedures.

The report pointed to 50 cases of fraud and marksheet scams. Findings also showed cases where students have been allowed to appear for tests without filling up proper forms.

There have also been instances of severe lapses such as absence of standard examiners’ list, ill maintenance of answer papers, insufficient staff for tabulation and meagre pay. “I am aware of it. The syndicate would meet soon to discuss the matter. We might conduct a fresh inquiry if required,” said vice-chancellor Laxmi Narayan Mishra.

Lack of adequate staff and resources appear to be the main reasons behind the corrupt practices.

Currently, the university conducts 110 examinations each year. These include regular and back papers. At least 300 students per batch apply for re-additions every exam. “Each tabulator is paid 60 paise per paper. Their conveyance charges are also reimbursed,” said the comptroller of examinations, P.C. Acharya.