Diphu Polytechnic yet to get AICTE approval, students face uncertain future

From our Correspondent

HOWRAGHAT, July 2: The students of Diphu Polytechnic are facing an uncertain future as the institute is yet to receive approval from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Diphu Polytechnic has been running without obtaining approval from AICTE for the past few years. As a result, the students who are studying or completed the courses of engineering diploma are living in uncertainty. The students fear that their engineering diplomas might be derecognized at any moment due to no AICTE approval.

Allegations have been made against the Principal of Diphu Polytechnic, Ram Chandra Das for this delay in getting approval from AICTE. It is alleged that due to his negligence, during his tenure the institute failed to get AICTE approval. He even concealed the status of official progress work, alleged the students.

As per information received under RTI Act, 2005 from the office of the Director of Technical Education, Kahilipara, Guwahati, there are altogether 10 polytechnics in the State including Diphu Polytechnic. AICTE approval has been obtained for all polytechnics for the years of 2015-16, 2014-15, and 2013-14 except for Diphu Polytechnic.

In the RTI reply of the Technical of Director Education, Guwahati, Assam, it is stated that Ram Chandra Das, the Principal of Diphu Polytechnic was instructed for online application for consideration of AICTE approval for the year 2015-16. But the Principal did not submit the online application.  The RTI reply further mentioned that for the year of 2013-14, Ram Chandra Das failed to attend the meeting convened by AICTE for approval.

The RTI reply further said that like the heads of the other nine polytechnics and four engineering colleges in the State, it was the responsibility of the Principal of Diphu Polytechnic for online submission of application to AICTE for approval.

Ram Chandra Das, Principal of Diphu Polytechnic was specially reminded to submit the online application and resolve the matter with AICTE several times through 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.

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 AICTE approval for the year 2015-16 through letter No TE (P) Scheme-4/86/1406 dated  March 31, 2015, no effort was allegedly made by Ram Chandra Das to get the AICTE approval.

Despite all this, Das was made Controller of Examition at the State Council for Technical Education on April 27, 2015.

The people of Karbi Anglong have expressed serious concern over the alleged indifferent steps taken by the present State Education Minister in this regard. They have demanded that in the interest of the students of Diphu Polytechnic, the government must take steps for getting AICTE approval for the institute.