UoM to admit destitute children with concession

MTSORE: The University of Mysore (UoM) has decided to offer seats to destitute students at 50 per cent fee concession in university constituent colleges and other colleges in its jurisdiction.In response to a report "Destitute Girl Denied Admission in UoM" carried in Express on June 17, which detailed about a destitute girl being denied admission to the college despite securing 67.3 percent in II PU commerce, the Syndicate of UoM met here on Friday and decided to come out with a policy directing all colleges to give seats to destitute students. It is also keen on evolving an admission policy for transgenders to undergraduate and postgraduate courses.An orphan destitute, Manjula had mentioned "Indian" alongside the caste column of her application form as she has no records of her parents. She had entered mainstream educational course by taking up a bridge course and was appearing for her seventh class examination and was left in the lurch.The university college has refused to entertain hers' as a special case as the recommendation of Backward Classes Commission has not been accepted and executed by the government.UoM ViceChancellor Prof V G Talwar told Express that the varsity has taken a policy decision to encourage destitute children in higher education by offering them concession in fees. "We will also monitor other colleges to ensure that destitute children are not denied seats as they have every right to continue education," he added. The VC said that they have further plans to introduce provision for transgenders in higher education.Meanwhile, directors of the NGO Odanadi StanelyParshu welcomed the decision to offer seats to destitute students with fee concession. They urged the government to make it a policy and apply it in private and government schools and colleges, including professional courses.