Bhubaneswar, June 28: Private engineering colleges across the state, which are fighting to fill up vacant seats for the last few years, have objected to the state technical education department's move to allow private universities start diploma engineering courses.

The college authorities argued that this move would result in the shutdown of several private institutions that are already going through a crisis.

According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act, no institute can start a diploma-engineering course without the prior approval of the council and different diploma institutions of the state, which are authorised by the AICTE, must be affiliated to the state council of technical education and vocational training.

"A private university was accorded the permission flouting the rules in the AICTE Act. Besides, the department allowed it to have unlimited seat intake, which is grossly in violation of the rules," said Suryakanta Jena, principal of a private engineering school here.

There are 30 government-run and 88 private engineering institutes across the state with a total intake capacity of 45,565. However, for the last five years, about 50 per cent of the seats have been lying vacant. Most of these institutions are facing a financial crisis in managing themselves and their sustenance is in jeopardy.

"Crores are being invested in these institutes and about 15,000 skilled youths are given employment opportunities by these institutes. But, if the government continues to act in this manner, they will loose their jobs because of large number of vacancy every year," said Surendra Behera, a member of the Odisha Private Engineering Schools' Association (Opesa).

Calling it a "pre-planned conspiracy" to close down private engineering institutes, the Opesa members demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.

The members also alleged that since many government-run, semi-government and private organisations did not approve certificates that were issued by the technical institutions that lack the AICTE's approval, engineering graduates might face uncertainty in career prospects with the sole approval from the technical department.

An Opesa member also said the organisation had repeatedly requested the state government not to let any new institute increase the seat intake.

"Despite being aware of the crisis, the department has allowed private universities to increase seat intake and that too by violating the norms and statutory provisions. This is highly objectionable," said Opesa secretary Saroj Sahoo.

"How can the department grant equivalence status to diploma engineering courses offered by private universities, to that of the council of technical education and vocational training courses? This move is unfortunate and has become a cause of concern," Sahoo said.