http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/LU-candidates-complain-of-caste-differentiation-in-counselling/articleshow/6322031.cms
LU candidates complain of caste differentiation in counselling TNN, Aug 17, 2010, 04.38am IST LUCKNOW: Mismanagement, irregularities, caste differentiation -- that's the way PG counselling is being carried out in the Lucknow University, complain candidates. To start with, the merit list for a particular course is uploaded only a day before the counselling is scheduled and that too not before 11 pm. In turn, candidates from far off places are unable to attend the counselling. There is more trouble for the candidates once they reach the venue. Differentiation on the basis of caste begins then. From general to SC/ST to OBC, candidates face a tough time. "I am a student of general category and was seeking admission in MA. My name also appeared in the regular merit list. But, on the day of counselling, I was insulted and other candidates below my rank were being called. The university officials told me that the seats in the general category were filled, but when I found out, there were four seats still vacant," said Anand Verma (name changed), who ended up taking admission elsewhere. It is interesting to mention here that the man who is heading the PG admissions, Padam Kant was found boasting about himself being SC/ST, and that too on the loudspeaker. While asking his category from a student, who too belonged to SC, the incharge was heard saying, "I also belong to SC but at intermediate level I was wrongly put into general category. Since then, all my increments have been stopped.'' Ideally, the counselling for one course is done in two days. On the first day, the first list students are allowed and, in case the seats remain vacant, waiting list students are given a chance. But here, everything happens on a single day. Not one, but counselling for more than 15 courses is conducted in a day, with a lone man managing the entire show. On the issue, a senior teacher in the university said: "The problems are occurring because of the lack of proper planning. Many students complained of the injustice of not being called despite being on the high merit list." To reiterate, the ongoing PG counselling seems to be a total chaos wherein lower merit students are given preference than the higher merit candidates.
