Odisha University punishes 100 students for indiscipline

Sambalpur

Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) in Burla, Odisha, has taken disciplinary action against 100 students for violations such as poor attendance and visiting restricted areas, an official reported. After a Disciplinary Committee meeting on April 25, the university issued an order listing the names of the students and their punishments. Most of the affected students are from the third year, followed by 11 from the fourth year, 11 first-year students, two second-year students, and one MSc student.

Punishments include a one-grade reduction in theory papers for the ongoing semester, fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, and some students being assigned social work under supervision. Six fourth-year female students who visited the prohibited Fishery Point of Hirakud Reservoir, where a fellow student tragically drowned earlier this month, have been fined Rs 5,000 each, expelled from their hostels, and given a one-grade penalty.

Additionally, 24 students have been debarred from holding any elected or appointed positions, participating in activities, or receiving academic or extracurricular awards. Except for 15 students, the rest must submit an affidavit, along with their parents, pledging to avoid future misconduct. This action follows the tragic death of Saswati Bhoi, a final-year Electrical Engineering student, who drowned at Fishery Point on April 12 while trying to save a friend.