Building for the proposed science block at Government Women’s College in Balangir. Telegraph picture

Balangir, June 5: Girl students aiming to pursue science from the Government Women’s College here have been left dejected yet again.

The state government has not granted permission to the college to open the stream even in this academic session.

Rabi Prasad Sahu, a parent, wanted his daughter to pursue science. But now, he has to be contended with her pursuing arts, even though she has the required marks to pursue science.

“I was hopeful that the government would start the science stream this year. Private colleges charge at least Rs 1 lakh a year from students for a science degree. I can’t afford that. So, now my daughter will have to study arts,” Sahu said.

Earlier, the government had decided to open the science stream at headquarters women’s college in the three backward districts — Balangir, Kalahandi and Jeypore. Accordingly, construction of science blocks was taken up at the three places. Now, though the construction is over, the government is yet to give permission for starting the stream.

Construction of the building for the proposed science block at Government Women’s College here began in 2009 and was over in 2011.

The cost of the project was Rs 1 crore. Since then, local people have been expecting that the government would grant permission to open the stream in the college.

There was great hope that this year government would grant the permission.

Mamata Dash, another student aspiring to pursue science, said: “I have limited options now. Either I have to opt for another stream or pursue science at a private college,” she said.

Principal Krushna Prasad Mishra said: “In the past two years, I have written several letters to the higher education department asking for permission to open the science stream. But, we have not received any response from the department,” Mishra said.

Parliamentarian Krushna Chandra Panda of Balangir set up the college in 1962.