Date:09/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010951540300.htm

Tamil Nadu

‘No efforts taken to remove encroachments’

Staff Reporter

ATTUR: Irked over the delay in removing the encroachments on the Government Arts College premises and shortage of faculty members, about 1,800 students of the college attended classes wearing black badges here on Tuesday.

Students said that the college, established about 35 years ago, caters to a large number of youth from various rural pockets in Attur, Vazhapadi and Gengavalli taluks. A few students from the border districts of Vilupuram and Perambalur are also studying in the college. A few persons had encroached about 50 acres belonging to the college.

When students, parents and voluntary organisations staged agitations a few months ago, revenue officials promised that they would remove the encroachments within December 31. But no efforts had so far been made to evict the encroachments, students claimed.

The shortage of faculty members and inadequate infrastructure facilities were also adversely affecting academic activities in the college.

The college has more than 1,800 students studying in various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. But it has just eight faculty members.

Lack of adequate number of classrooms and other facilities is also affecting the students. The college is forced to conduct classes in shifts.