One of the major reasons for colleges to delay the form distribution is to ensure transparency and better management. Though the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education has provided candidates with digital marksheets this year, which can be conveniently downloaded and updated on the application forms, most colleges are insisting on uploading the scanned copy of the original scorecards to ensure authenticity \u2014 as instructed by the state government. <\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHowever, college authorities pointed out that several anomalies are detected when students do not upload the original marksheets and forged numbers are uploaded. As a result, the merit list has errors, which have to be later rectified once the candidates provide the original marksheets for verification. A government-aided college principal said, \u201cThis will prolong the application process. But to reduce mistakes, we plan to start after July 31,\u201d said Vivekananda College principal Tapan Poddar.
Lady Brabourne College principal Siuli Sarkar said that the college will begin distribution of application forms from the first week of August. \u201cWe have reduced the application fee from Rs 150 to Rs 125. Also, the students allotted hostels won\u2019t be charged now,\u201d Sarkar said.
Indrila Guha, Principal of Basanti Devi College added that the forms are to be distributed from the first week of August onwards.
Jaipuria College is also reducing the application fee this year. The proposal will be placed before the college governing body. \u201cWe are also considering decreasing the semester charges. But, it is subject to acceptance by the GB,\u201d said a senior college official.
At Vivekananda College, the average semester charges, including the tuition fee, is around Rs 3000 for BA, Rs 4500 for B.Sc and Rs 3000 for B.Com. The additional charges include the electricity cost, maintenance fee, laboratory charges, library fee, generator set cost and also a fee for the student union which is decided by the college governing body.
\u201cWe are not able to reduce the tuition fee, which does to the government. But, we shall be saving some money in the college fund as the government is now paying the salary of the guest lecturers. Also, we desire to provide some relaxations to the parents and families since they are in economic distress due to the COVID situation. Considering all these factors, we will make various slabs and offer reduction,\u201d said the principal of the college.
Several private colleges have, however, started distribution of the application form. Colleges like Shri Shikshayatan College, Scottish Church College, St Xavier\u2019s College (autonomous), Bhawanipur Education Society College and others have set their admission criteria and invited applications from the candidates.
Bhawanipur Education Society College has reduced the semester fees. \u201cWe have reduced the semester fee for 2020-2021 academic session in all the courses run by the college. The library fees, sports fees, skill-building fees \u2013 facilities which a student can\u2019t access that was earlier being charged, has been taken out from the first semester. However, if the problem persists, then the same reduction will be applied in the following semester,\u201d said vice-chairman, the Bhowanipore Education Society College, Miraj Shah. <\/div>\n