DIPHU, July 5 � The students of Diphu Polytechnic are in a bind as the institute has not received the approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
According to reports, the Diphu Polytechnic has been running without approval from the AICTE for past few years. As a result, the students who are studying or have completed their courses are in a state of utter confusion over the fact that their engineering diplomas might be derecognised any moment.
It may be noted that the reason that the Diphu Polytechnic has not received the required approval are the various allegations against the then principal Ram Chandra Das. Sources said that due to his negligence of duty, the institution failed to obtain AICTE approval. He, even concealed the status of the official progress works, students alleged.
As per information received under the RTI Act, there are altogether 10 polytechnics in the State including the Diphu Polytechnic. AICTE approval has been obtained for all polytechnics for the years 2015-16, 2014-15, and 2013-14 except that of Diphu Polytechnic.
The Directorate of Technical Education, Guwahati, in its RTI reply stated that Ram Chandra Das, the principal of the Diphu Polytechnic was instructed to apply online for the consideration of AICTE approval for the year 2015-16, but he did not submit the online application. It further mentioned that for the year 2013-14, Ram Chandra Das failed to attend the concerned meeting convened by the AICTE for consideration of approval.
It was further said that like the other nine polytechnics and four engineering colleges in the State, it was the responsibility of the principal, of the Diphu Polytechnic to submit the online application to the AICTE for approval.
It needs to be mentioned here that the principal was specially reminded to submit the online application and resolve the matter with AICTE several times vide letter Nos TE(P) Scheme-4/86/1406 dated 31/03/2015, TEC. 148/2004/65 dated 22-04-2015, TE(P) Scheme-20/2013/3096 dated 10/07/2013 and TE(P) Scheme-4/86/1499 dated 11/04/2013 respectively.
It is amazing that at the end, though the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Assam, Higher Education (Technical) Department directed the principal to submit the online application to AICTE for getting its approval for the year 2015-16 through letter No TE (P) Scheme-4/86/1406 dated 31 March, 2015, but no efforts were made by him.
It is interesting to know that despite knowing well about his failure and negligence, he was then posted as the Controller of Examination at the State Council for Technical Education, by the concerned authority on April 27, 2015..
Meanwhile, the local people have demanded of the Government to solve the long-pending problems of the institution immediately.
