NIT seat distribution upsets Andaman students

Port Blair, Jul 9 : The seat distribution system of NIT Puduchery has upset the students of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as only ten students from the islands could manage seat in the institute.

Only 45 seats have been reserved for the students of both Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the newly establish NIT and the earlier practice of allotment of supernumerary seats in various NITs has been dispensed with by the Centre from this academic season.

''Out of the total 45 seats in the NIT Puducherry reserved as Home State Quota for both Puducherry and A and N Islands, only ten students got the seats from A and N Islands and the rest of 35 seats have been allotted to the students of Puducherry, as the seats are allotted on the basis of combined merit of A and N Islands and Puducherry,'' informed Bishnu Pada Ray, the lone Member of Parliament from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, here today.

Terming this as a ''great loss'' to the future of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr Ray said the sudden decision of the authorities had created panic among the aspiring candidates who were in the state rank list of A and N Islands.

In this connection, the MP held a meeting with the Lt Governor and the Chief Secretary yesterday along with the parents of the affected candidates.

''We need more NIT seats for Andaman students,'' Mr Ray added.