It has now been two years on the trot that the counselling process for engineering aspirants, who have cleared EAMCET, has been delayed, and this is affecting the students both psychologically and academically.
In 2013, it was delayed due to the lack of clarity on the category B seats and the Samaikhyandhra agitation.
This year, differences between the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments over fee reimbursement and nativity issues have delayed the process indefinitely, and this despite the fact that the AP Reorganisation Act has clearly stated how the process should evolve.
As per Supreme Court guidelines to AICTE, all engineering colleges should begin the counselling process by July 1 and complete it by July 31, and the colleges should commence work by August first week.
In all, 2.5 lakh engineering students are in a quandary with the Telangana government approaching the Supreme Court seeking extension of date till October 31. “The first hearing is on Wednesday, and even if the Apex Court fixes an early date, the counselling process can begin only after 25 days from the date of notification. In which case, the admission is likely to extend beyond August,” said Gadde Rajaling of the AP Engineering College Association.
While it is only a matter of date for the government, for the students it means much more.
“The entire academic calendar is hit. The semesters get squeezed up and the pressure continues till the final year. Both the faculty and students feel the heat,” said principal of ANITS V.S.R.K. Prasad.
The pressure is so high that last year the first-year pass percentage in reputed colleges was just 60 and, in both States put together, it was 25.
According to GMRIT principal C.L.V.R.S.V. Prasad, because of the delay, the academic calendar has been extended by three months, examinations have been delayed, and the final year students, who passed out, are still to receive provisional certificates, and are caught in a fix with their recruiters. “The delay has a cascading effect,” he said.
