Succumbing to pressure from their higher-ups, authorities of the renowned Madras Veterinary College (MVC) affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, allegedly fudged attendance records to enable a girl student belonging to the intermediate batch appear for a recent examination.
According to sources in the university, the authorities of the ‘Education Cell’ were coerced to tamper with the attendance registers maintained at different departments in the college to inflate the attendance of the student, a long absentee due to health issues. However, other students belonging to the same batch who were short of the required attendance were denied any such concession.
“The student in question had only 54 per cent attendance, well short of the requirement. Following pressure from an influential person, some authorities at the MVC tampered the records enabling her to appear for the examinations,” a source said, adding that other students who too fell short of required attendance were denied any favour.
As per the university rules, 80 per cent attendance is required for a student to appear for the exam. However, a condonation of 10 per cent could be availed. The sources said that submitting to pressure from higher-ups, the authorities concerned had brought disrepute to a century-old institution.
Reacting to queries on the issue, MVC Dean Dr S A Asokan, said, “We permitted the student to appear for the examination as she produced medical certificates.’’