PA college refutes allegations of denying hall ticket, pressurizing over UUCMS fee payment issue
Mangaluru: A fee payment issue faced by a section of students using the Unified University College Management System (UUCMS) has been resolved, according to the authorities of P.A. First Grade College. The matter, which affected 27 out of 768 students from the institution, had caused confusion and allegations, prompting the college to issue a clarification.
The UUCMS, introduced in 2021 by the Government of Karnataka, requires students to pay their examination fees directly through the portal. Previously, students paid fees to their respective colleges, which then transferred the amount to the university. While most students successfully processed their fees through UUCMS, the payment status for 27 students showed as "INITIATED," even though the amount was deducted from their bank accounts. The issue, however, was not isolated, reportedly impacting around 3,000 students across various institutions affiliated with Mangalore University, read the release.
It further stated that following complaints, the university circulated a Google form to gather details of affected students. Subsequently, during an online meeting on November 28, 2024, the university directed colleges to ask students to pay their fees again to ensure their data would be reflected in the portal for hall ticket generation. Failure to do so would prevent them from appearing in the exam. The directive, communicated to the students, led to dissatisfaction among them, with some expressing resistance to paying the fees twice. A few parents and students sought clarification from the college, which explained that the issue was from the UUCMS system by the Government of Karnataka and not the college.
However, one second-year B.Sc. student, Ayisha Afna, filed a police complaint at Konaje station, alleging illegal fee demands by the college. Following the complaint, students and parents met with the Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University, seeking resolution. The college, meanwhile, continued to engage with university authorities and the UUCMS team to address the issue.
According to the statement, on December 7, 2024, the university authorities informed the college that the issue had been resolved. College staff were directed to submit the necessary student details to the university, ensuring that all students, including those who had filed complaints, would receive their hall tickets. The college principal contacted the complainant's father to inform them of the resolution and reiterated the same during a meeting at the university premises.
Despite the resolution, a press conference held by Aysha Afna, Reshna Misiriya, Parent Abdul Khader and advocate Saheed Badduron December 9, 2024, reportedly alleged that the college and university authorities were pressuring students to withdraw the complaint and denying hall tickets.
The college principal has categorically denied these allegations, asserting that the matter was resolved by the university on December 7, 2024. It was clarified that hall tickets could only be generated from December 9, 2024, as per the university's update.
The college has assured students that their hall tickets will be distributed on the day of the examination to save them unnecessary travel.
Additionally, the college authorities have urged the public to disregard baseless allegations.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
