Sangli students challenge polytechnic OBC quota

A new rule to reserve seats for backward classes students for direct entry into the second year of the four-year degree course in polytechnic colleges has been challenged by some students.

Mansi Mane and eight other students of Sangli have challenged the Directorate of Technical Education’s introduction of the new rule of providing reservation for backward classes and the physically handicapped.

According to the petition, this has reduced availability of seats by 50%. The students had completed their SSC exams from Kolhapur Board and had enrolled for the three-year diploma course sanctioned by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The new rules were introduced from the academic year 2011-12.

Uday Warunjikar, advocate for the students, argued that the reservation has not only reduced seats for meritorious students but also made it difficult for them to take admission in a college of their choice.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Girish Godbole said the petitioners can approach the AICTE to increase seats for direct entry.

The high court will hear the matter on July 25.