Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21: The state government has decided to withdraw the affiliation of colleges that have shown poor admissions for the past three consecutive years.

At least 144 Plus Two colleges in the state — three arts colleges, 91 science colleges and 50 commerce colleges —have reported less than 10 students. The list includes as many as 12 commerce colleges, 29 science colleges and two arts colleges that have reported nil admissions. A total of 76,619 seats out of 3,37,524 seats have fallen vacant in all Plus Two colleges in the state.

“We have issued show cause notices to these colleges to explain the reason for such a dismal turnout in admission,” said Mihir Das, a senior official of the department.

“We will also look at the admission figures in these colleges in the past three years. In case the number of admissions has been less than 20 for three consecutive years, their affiliation would be withdrawn. The department would issue a notification shortly,” he said.

The department this year had conducted two rounds of admissions after a number of seats were left vacant after the first phase of counselling.

Despite vacant seats, the state government last week announced to increase the seats in Plus Two and Plus Three colleges in the urban local bodies and corporation localities by 20 per cent from this academic session. It was decided that colleges with an intake capacity of more than 256 seats would get 10 per cent additional seats, while those with less than 256 seats will get 20 per cent additional seats.