Middlemen misuse allocation despite DM's order to streamline admission process

Touts still 'managing' quota in Noida colleges

Middlemen misuse allocation despite DM's order to streamline admission process

It seems a role reversal of sorts. Instead of the district magistrate monitoring the admission process, touts are keeping a strict vigil on the management quotas to help aspirants get seats in various colleges of Noida. Not only are they minting more money than ever, they are now allegedly doing the secret deals inside the campus premises.

"It is no more an open affair as this business is under the scanner. Every deal is done in a secret room. The authorities involved in management quota admission arrange everything requiredu00a0 and they assign a highly secure room, which is only open to close associates. The room is manned by private guards and each entry is allowed only after thorough checking," said a tout, who has been in the business for the last three years.

The Knowledge Park of Greater Noida has around 87 technical colleges and is a haven for touts trying to cash in on the admission season. The streams that are most in demand are computer science, information technology and electronics and communication. The rates of admission vary from college to college, but it starts from Rs three lakh per course.

MiD DAY did a story a month ago, stating that the district magistrate will now look after the matter and will book the culprits and college if such a case gets reported. But despite strict vigilance from the magistrate, who offered his services to monitor admissions throughu00a0 the management quota, not a lot has been achieved as not a single complaint has been lodged since the proposal was put into action.

"The college authorities have started charging extra this season. The seat that used to cost Rs 4 lakh with donation now comes at nothing less than Rs 5 lakh. Out of this money, 25 per cent is our cut. To escape scrutiny, the entire transaction is done in a very secretive manner," said another tout, wishing anonymity.

Recently a committee comprising Uttar Pradesh Techincal University (UPTU) joint director, joint secretary and additional district magistrate (ADM) Noida, Shivankant Dwivedi was formed after receiving complaints regarding admissions through illegal process in engineering and management colleges in and around Noida.

The committee then delved into the matter and it was decided that the district magistrate from now on will oversee cases regarding touts, and will accordingly takeu00a0 action. If needed, a complaint will also be registered against the college, and their affiliation will be cancelled.

"We have no idea about the illegal admissions through management quota for this season, as we can take action only after we get complaints. We don't work on a proactive basis," said an official at the district magistrate's office.

Over the years, Noida and Greater Noida have become hubs of engineering and management institutes affiliated to UPTU and students, who cannot make it through the cut-off lists, prefer back-door entry. It is alleged that the rate of admission in engineering colleges is somewhere between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 7 lakh, and for management courses the rates can go up to Rs 10 lakh.