COIMBATORE: Reinforcing merit as the sole criteria for admission into the premier Anna University in Chennai, the State government has abolished its seven per cent discretionary quota — under which children of VVIPs were admitted on the recommendations of the CM and the governor.
On March 5, Express had exposed how classrooms in the renowned institution were crowded due to admission of low-scoring VVIP students over and above the sanctioned intake strength. The report had highlighted how it had led to indiscipline and examination- related malpractice.
Following this, senior academicians and former V-Cs of the university, M Anandakrishnan and E Balagurusamy, called for the abolition of the discretionary quota, warning that it would seriously impair the institution’s global academic standing.
A higher education ministry official said the decision to scrap the quota was taken by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Curiously, the letter was pre-dated, perhaps since the election model code of conduct is in force.