Storm brews over St Thomas college

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, August 30, 2007
St Thomas College of Engineering, Kidderpore is in the eye of educational storm with the Calcutta Diocese of Churches of North India accusing the prinicipal of taking over the college. Not surprisingly, the principal has denied the charge.
The institution has 240 students. St. Thomas College of Engineering offers B.Tech courses in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering and Information Technology.
The Calcutta Diocese of Churches of North India (CNI) will take out a rally against the principal of St. Thomas College of Engineering, Sailesh Mukhopadhyay, who controls the institution through a trust.
“The Calcutta Diocese of CNI had formed a body named Calcutta Diocessan Education Trust (CDET) of which Mukhopadhyay was a member. After running the college for four years, the CDET had to hand over charge to the management of St. Thomas School. However, Mukhopadhyay formed another trust for the college. So the AICTE has withheld its approval,” said Reverend Biswajit Biswas of Kolkata Diocese.
The CDET and managing committee of St. Thomas School is seeking legal advice. The CNI is taking out a rally on Friday against Mukhopadyay and his allies. “We are worried about the future of students. We would not tolerate an institution bending rules,” said Reverend Abir Adhikari of Kolkata Diocese.
However, Mukhopadhyay termed the decision to rally as unfortunate. No parallel trust is running the college. The CDET is in charge. Bishop Raju was its chairman but when other members of the trust, which includes representaives from All India Council for Technical Euducation (AICTE) and West Bengal University of Technology asked the bishop to clarify his position regarding land allotment, he started calling the panel illegal,” said Mukhopadhyay.
However supporters of Bishop Raju claimed that CDET is not running the college. “These people want to enjoy financial benefits they earn from the college. They have not bothered to help students from Christian community to take admission here, despite the fact that the institution was specially meant for them,” said Biswas.
Mukhopadhyay has hit back by saying that he has not compromised the students’ future. “AICTE has given extension to our affiliation for the 2007-2008 session. This means that students who have taken admission in our college this year need not worry. We want to ensure everyone that students interest is being catered to,” he said.
mou.chakraborty@hindustantimes.com