Rejection of nominations protested

ANGUL: Government College (Autonomous), Angul authorities have rejected all the three nomination papers for the post of president in the students’ union election on the ground of attendance shortage.This triggered protests from students who locked the college gate and burnt tyres on the campus. Additional SP Jyoti Prakash Mahapatra and Sub-Collector Sudarshan Parida rushed to the spot and restored normalcy.The college had received 21 nominations for various posts. Following scrutiny, the college authorities rejected all the three nominations for the post of president for low attendance. The candidates are required to have 75 per cent attendance for the college polls. A nomination for the general secretary post too was rejected on the same ground.The students, however, said the shortage in attendance was due to the absence of regular classes in the college. They have demanded for a review of the decision. Refuting the allegations, the Principal, Somesh Das said classes were being held despite teacher shortage. The government rules were followed during the scrutiny of nominations, he added.Meanwhile, the lone vice- president candidate Rajesh Kumar Mishra of Commerce has been declared elected uncontested following disqualification of his rival due to low attendance.