Students at science exhibition Inspire in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Sept. 28: A major slip up on the part of the state government has deprived over 200 students of Jagatsinghpur of participating in a Centre-sponsored science exhibition here.

Sources said 533 budding scientists from 278 government high schools of the district had been shortlisted to take part in the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (Inspire) fair and each of them was doled out cash incentives of Rs 5,000.

However, more than 50 per cent of them could not showcase their scientific pursuits as they had ceased to be school students by the time the much-touted exhibition was organised.

“The exhibition took place last week, almost a year after the disbursal of central incentives to the students. As a result, 278 students failed to take part in the event as they had passed out from their respective schools and taken admission for Plus Two courses in various colleges,” a source said.

An official of the school and mass education department said the Union ministry of science and technology, which organises the Inspire fair, had dispatched the required sum for the event in November 2011. However, it was disbursed to selected students on March 14 this year in violation of the ministry’s guidelines to hold the exhibition within two months of the release of funds.

The delay, thus, deprived talented students to take part in the important event and getting recognised for their innovations.

“The matter is being inquired into. Those found responsible for the lapses will be taken to task,” said Prasant Swain, district education officer, Jagatsinghpur.

The ministry of science and technology has taken an initiative by way of Inspire exhibitions to harness and hone the scientific attributes and skill among children.

“It is unfortunate that the very purpose of organising such event has been defeated as students with potential and talent could not take part in it. The inept attitude of authorities has resulted in this mess,” said Radhakant Rout, a guardian.

The students who had been selected also appeared crestfallen.

“I had prepared an innovative project and put in a lot of hard work and research last year. But the science fair was not organised on time,” said Arnab Mahapatra, an ex-student of a government-run school.