Politicians seek LG’s intervention

Bhat Imran

Srinagar, May 17 (KNO): Hundreds of Kashmiri students appearing in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) are fuming over allotment of their examination centres outside Kashmir in complete disregard to their preferred choices for venue of the test.

The aspirants told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that their preferred choice for examination centers were completely disregarded by the examination conducting agency, National Testing Authority and instead have been allotted centres outside Kashmir.

“When I applied for the test, my first choice for the examination centre was Srinagar and second was Pulwama but ironically they have allotted me examination centre in Andhra Pradesh,” said Tabish Gulzar, a female student.

“A number of colleges and universities in Kashmir could have been designated as examination centres but they are allotting us examination centers in states which are far away from J&K. It is grave injustice with us,” she said.

Another aspirant said that she had opted for Srinagar and Baramulla as preferred choices for examination centres but was allotted the centre in Jammu.

“I was shocked when I found that I have to appear in the test in Jammu, which is 400 kilometers away from home. It is very difficult and expensive to travel to Jammu,” she said.

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is an all-India test conducted by NTA for admission to various undergraduate programmes in 45 Central Universities of India including Kashmir Central University and Jammu Central University.

The aspirants said that hundreds of students from Kashmir could not sit in the examination last year due to allotment of their centers outside the Valley.

“We appeal the NTA authorities to re-allot us examination centers in Kashmir so that we can appear in the test,” they said.

KNO received several calls from the CUET UG aspirants of Kashmir division whose centres have been designated outside the Valley.

Meanwhile, National Convener for the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) Nasir Khuehami expressed concern over allotment of examination centres to Kashmiri students outside the Valley.

“I’m Getting requests from Kashmiri students who hv been allotted exam cities outside J&K for the NTA CUET-UG 2023 exam. This is causing inconvenience & added expenses for these students, who are already facing numerous challenges,” he tweeted.

State secretary of CPI(M) Muhammad Yosouf Tarigami has appealed LG Manoj Sinha to intervene in the matter.

“National Testing Agency conducting exams for various UG courses have designated the examination centres of most of J & K students outside the region, making it challenging for them to write their exams. Poor students lack the wherewithal to pay for the travel expenses,” he said—(KNO)