Prayagraj: Amid allegations and counter-allegations between coaching centres and Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) authorities over the sealing of coaching centres, the fate of hundreds of students enrolled in these now-shut institutes hangs in the balance. As most of these students are preparing for competitive examinations, including the police constable recruitment exam slated to be held from June 8 to 10, they are in a Catch-22 situation—either desperately waiting for the test series to resume or shifting to another coaching institute.On Sunday, PDA authorities sealed three city-based coaching centres for operating without a nod. The action came days after the three institutes participated in a protest demanding the release of scorecards for the police sub-inspector recruitment exam, the results of which were declared on May 7. Officials of the PDA, however, claimed they had identified more than 36,000 structures across the city that require approvals.Four days after the sealing, students and teachers have sought state govt’s intervention in view of the students’ future. Harsh, a student preparing for competitive examinations, said, “As the UP Police recruitment exams inch closer, we are going through the test series. If the government allows the reopening of the sealed coaching centres, we would surely be better prepared for the exams.” Radhav, another student, said, “A majority of students at these coaching institutes were preparing for competitive exams and now we do not have enough time to look for another coaching centre for a week. We demand the authorities concerned do the needful for the future of the students.”A majority of students preparing for police or defence recruitment exams prefer to attend offline classes and physical training. They also need to attempt test series, which often help them crack the exams. “Why take such action when hardly four days are left for the exams?” asked a student, adding, “If they want to teach the coaching centres a lesson, they should wait until the exams are over.”Hundreds of students preparing for competitive examinations had protested against the paper leak in the city on May 29, demanding action against errant officials.Meanwhile, a senior PDA official told TOI, “We have identified around 36,000 structures across the Sangam city and deployed as many as 31 teams for verification in six zones and 31 sub-zones.” He further added, “PDA officials compiled data on challans and notices issued over the past 10 years, and now teams are visiting building owners to obtain necessary approvals, failing which the PDA is taking appropriate action.”Referring to the three coaching institutes/structures sealed on Sunday, PDA officials claimed notices had been issued to the concerned building owners to obtain necessary approvals, and the structures were sealed only after they failed to do so within the stipulated time.“If any mishap takes place, then who would take responsibility?” asked a senior PDA official, adding, “Why create a hue and cry over the sealing of structures when we have been constantly asking owners to obtain necessary approvals from the departments concerned?”
