Bhubaneswar, May 2: Students of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) today took out a rally and squatted at PMG Square demanding a second campus in the city.

They alleged that despite the government promise that all senior BPUT officials would operate from the Gandamunda campus in Bhubaneswar on the third week of every month, they were no where to be seen. Marching under banner of the All Odisha BPUT Students' Association, the students alleged that in absence of a Bhubaneswar centre, students from nearly 69 colleges (out of the total 147 constituent colleges under BPUT) that function in and around the city had no where to go.

Travelling to the BPUT head office in Rourkela is difficult, said a student, Surya Narayan Mohanty. "Why isn't the state government opting for a second campus, when the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan has mentioned that a university should control not more than 100 colleges under it?" he asked. The students suggested that the College of Engineering and Technology that already has 100 acres and 5,000 student strength be made into BPUT-2.

A student said the link for results was not available on the BPUT official site. "Some are incomplete results and the results of others are missing. We are also not receiving the copies of out answer sheets despite requests," said association president Krushna Chandra Jena.

Demanding qualified teachers and proper infrastructure, they alleged that almost all the colleges under the varsity were violating the All India Council for Technical Education norms. They also alleged that the varsity had failed in carrying out academic audit of these colleges. "Around 200 teaching and non-teaching posts have been lying vacant. Last year, they had advertised for 84 posts, but not a single person was appointed," rued another student.

"There are a few courses that are approved by the state government but not recognised by the council. Because of this many students are not able to qualify NET," said Bidhi Ranjan Tripathy, another member of the association.

The students also came down heavily on the varsity's inactive placement cell. "A huge salary is being spent on officials manning the cell, but there has been no output till date. While they have assured us of around 300 companies with placement offers, not a single firm has turned up," rued Tripathy.

The students demanded update on the promised employment fair that got postponed. They also sought report of the welfare fund spent. "We will look into the complaints and grievances of the students," said a senior BPUT official.