BHOPAL: Worrying sick about abnormally high number of vacant engineering seats in the state, Madhya Pradesh Association of Technical and Professional Institutes (MPATPI) has decided to file a petition in Supreme Court for extending last date of counselling. At the end of round two of counselling, admission, figures present a sorry picture. With counselling process to end on August 14, some 70,000 out of 1 lakh seats are still vacant.

"We had requested DTE to extend date, but they said only Supreme Court can take decision regarding this. We will take final decision in next couple of days," MPATPI president Sunil Bansal said. MPATPI is association of private engineering colleges of state.

August 14 is last date for admissions to professional colleges as Supreme Court has directed All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to end counselling process by date.

Now, colleges are banking on ongoing college-level counselling whereby students with 45% or more in Class XII examinations to fill up vacant seats. DTE had scrapped pre-engineering test last year and aspirants appeared for joint entrance exam to take admission in engineering courses this year.

Such is the situation that even top colleges of the state have failed to attract students. "Such a situation was obvious where in supply has outstripped demand," said a college owner, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Sources said saturation in engineering courses and students opting for new under-graduate courses, including law and commerce has led to this situation. Moreover, those seeking admission to engineering colleges want to join core branches like mechanical and civil. There are very few students seeking admission in computer science, information technology and electronics and communication.

The situation whereby colleges would be admitting students on basis of 45% or above marks scored in Class XII examinations has questioned rational of holding entrance test for engineering courses. "If I get admission on the basis of Class XII marks there is no logic for entrance test as there is no shortage of vacant seats in state engineering colleges. Seats are available in top colleges also," said a student, Anita Tiwari, who took admission in a college this year. "Better make admission on basis of Class XII percentage," she reacted.

