Indirect student bodies' polls at HPU, again

SHIMLA: For the second consecutive year, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and its affiliated colleges in the state would be having indirect elections for the Student Central Associations (SCA). Amid protest from student organizations demanding to hold direct elections, university authorities have decided indirect elections. University decision has come as a set back to student organization who otherwise were demanding direct election. Student leaders were claiming that indirect elections were an attempt on the part of university authorities to suppress their voice.HPU registrar Dr Pankaj Lalit said that process of formation of Students' Central Association/College Students' Central Association (SCA/CSCA) for the academic session 2015-2016 by way of nomination based students' representation will be completed by all the colleges between August 24 and 31.He said that executive council vide resolution No. 9 of its meeting held on August 14 has approved the formation of SCA (Campus) and SCA in all the colleges affiliated to or maintained by the university on nomination based Students' Representation, as notified last year vide Notification of even number dated September 9, 2014.Owing to violence on the HPU campus and colleges, direct elections were banned last year. During the 46th foundation day celebration of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, chief minister Virbhadra Singh had said that there is no place for violence in the university campus.Echoing similar sentiments, Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Devvrat after assuming the charge of state had said that following the ancient tradition, students should devote themselves to studies only. He had said that indulging in anything other than education would affect their overall growth and studies.