http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Despite-best-efforts-OBC-seats-vacant-in-colleges/articleshow/6096014.cms
Despite best efforts, OBC seats vacant in colleges Manash Pratim Gohain & Neha Pushkarna, TNN, Jun 26, 2010, 09.52pm IST NEW DELHI: Like the past two years, colleges are nervous over the OBC seats this year too. A large number of seats in the OBC category remain vacant across colleges one reason why almost all courses are still open for admission in the second list. At Kamala Nehru College, which has 232 seats for OBC this year, only about 15 students were admitted under this category in the first list. At Ramjas College, 77 students took admission in different courses against a total of 380 OBC seats. The situation is no better in off-campus colleges. Dyal Singh College has reduced the second cutoff by as much as 8% in BA (honours) economics and up to 5% in other courses. Principal I S Bakshi said, "We have closed admissions for OBC students in just two courses. In the rest, we had to lower the cutoffs significantly hoping the seats would get filled. But it seems quite unlikely even this year.'' He added, "As we don't expect all OBC seats to get filled up, these will be available for conversion to other categories after August 16. Students will have to apply afresh.'' A teacher from a south campus college, who did not wish to be named, said: "The government should take stock of the situation now. The implementation of the OBC quota led to several infrastructural changes. But are there really any takers for these reserved seats?'' Rajendra Prasad, principal of Ramjas College, said: "Trends are really unpredictable this time as unlike previous years a lot of interest has been shown for the science courses. We may be able to get enough OBC students after the third list.'' An indication of this "unpredictable'' trend comes from Gargi College. It has closed admissions for honours courses in physics, chemistry and zoology. In fact, in physics and chemistry it has admitted students beyond its capacity. Principal Meera Ramachandran said: "Even OBC admissions for these courses are over. But that doesn't mean we will be able to fill up all the OBC seats by the end of the third list. Though we have given OBC candidates relaxation of as much as 10% in most courses, except in commerce, we have not been able to fill up all the seats.'' There are many other reasons that make filling up of OBC seats difficult. According to deputy dean of students' welfare, Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, the eligibility criteria also makes it tough for OBC candidate to get admission. "Only the popular colleges and popular courses will be able to fill up the OBC seats. While there is relaxation in cutoffs, riders such as a minimum of 55% in PCM or PCB and 50% in English makes it tough for the OBC candidates. Another problem we have witnessed in the past three years is that most OBC candidates are from outside and forget to bring original documents,'' said Tuteja. According to DSW estimates, about 30% seats in OBC category are expected to remain vacant.
