State revokes Esma for sake of exams

Tension over the boycott of exams defused at the Gujarat University on Tuesday with the state government withdrawing Essential Service Maintenance Act just two days before the examinations are scheduled to start. The staff union of the Gujarat University and the University Area Teachers' Association had threatened to boycott exams if Esma was not withdrawn.

The decision was taken in a meeting organised in Gandhinagar, after assurance by university staff union, college managements and other bodies of full participation in the examination process.

The Minister of State for Higher Education Hemant Chapatwala, Education Secretary Varesh Sinha and Higher Education Commissioner P.V. Trivedi and representatives of various unions attended the meeting.

The meeting came to the conclusion that prevailing conditions should be handled with discussion and special care should be taken so that all exam related work of the Gujarat University would be done in atmosphere of conciliation, faith and co-operation.

Meanwhile, preparations were in full swing in the GU for the examination. GU has decided to change the centres from communally sensitive areas of the city to the non-sensitive areas. Seating arrangements for the external students have also been finalised.

With all the hurdles being cleared the stage is set for peaceful conduct of final examinations of the Gujarat University.

Republished from The Asian Age