JORHAT, May 8 - The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has rejected the request of the State Higher Education department (Technical) seeking approval to the newly-established Golaghat Engineering College (GEC) at Bogorijeng at the outskirts of Golaghat.
AICTE is the apex body that gives recognition to technical institutes in the country by conducting surveys on facilities available in the institutes.
It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, inaugurated the institute on February 5 this year.
The college built at a project cost of Rs 50 crore spreading over 30.85 bighas, is the sixth engineering college in the State with the first batch of 92 students in three branches � Civil, Mechanical and Chemical � pursuing their courses since the ongoing academic session that commenced last year.
The letter, dated April 30, 2019, issued by a Member-Secretary of AICTE Professor Alok Prakash, and addressed to the Higher Education department (Technical), Government of Assam, stated that the application for �setting up of new technical institute� has been rejected by the body (AICTE).
The letter has cited 17 number of deficiencies in the institute (GEC) as the cause for rejection to grant approval to the college.
Lack of availability of infrastructure/equipment and a number of documents not submitted for verification to the AICTE, the letter stated.
Among other deficiencies pointed out in the letter are lack of adequate computational and library facilities, lack of General Insurance cover for assets against fire, burglary and other calamities. Lack of medical facilities and counselling arrangements too has been mentioned in the letter.
The letter also has mentioned that the first batch of students in the three branches were admitted in the 2018-19 session without getting approval from the AICTE.
When contacted, the GEC Principal Dr Satyajit Paul, who has received a copy of the AICTE letter, told The Assam Tribune today that most of the deficiencies shown by AICTE were not true.
He said that at the time of establishment of a new educational institute certain shortcomings are faced and gradually they will be taken care of.
Dr Paul further said that he has mailed a letter to the Chairman of AICTE Professor Anil Sahasrabudhe urging him to reconsider the decision of not granting approval to GEC and revoke the same.
The Principal said certain deficiencies which have been pointed out could be taken care of in the near future with the support of the Government.
It may be mentioned here that teachers in the GEC were working as guest faculties as the process for appointment of permanent teachers was to be done by the Government.
