Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 5: Basic Agriculture Training (BAT) aspirants from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) today raised objections over the seat allocation pattern in the ongoing admission process.
The aggrieved aspirants urged the university to hold a fresh round of counselling to accommodate top merit candidates.
In a representation addressed to the authorities, the aspirants said that in the previous academic session, 10 seats per district were allocated for the BHT course in Kashmir division – eight for Open Merit candidates and two for Reserved Categories.
They said an additional 15 seats were later added in the third round of counselling.
However, this year, according to the aspirants, the Open Merit quota has been reduced to five seats per district, a move they termed as “abrupt and unjust.”
“This sudden change, without prior notice, has deprived deserving candidates who secured top ranks on merit. Many of us are on the verge of crossing the upper age limit, making this our last chance to seek admission,” the aspirants said.
They urged the SKUAST-K to increase at least five seats in the Open Merit category for the BAT 2024 batch, or alternatively, convert the vacant reserved category seats into Open Merit seats.
“KVK Pulwama and Wadura campuses have accommodation for more students. In previous batches, the university had increased the quota by 15 seats per district; this year at least five more seats should be added,” they said.
The aspirants also complained about delays in the admission process.
“The second counselling was held in July, but despite repeated representations, no notification has been issued for the third round. Classwork has already started and we are facing anxiety about our future,” they said.
They appealed to the SKUAST-K administration to intervene and issue the notification for the third round of counselling without further delay.
Meanwhile, university authorities told Excelsior that they are working on it and a notification in this regard will be issued soon. “We are on it. The flood situation delayed the process, but a notification will be issued next week,” they said.
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