Hyderabad: Denied ground floor exam hall, pregnant woman misses test

HYDERABAD: A first year MA student, who is pregnant, has alleged that she could not write her examination as college authorities denied her a convenient place on the ground floor.
The student told PTI that she was finding it difficult to climb the stairs to reach the allotted place that was on the fourth floor of the institution and had sought alternative arrangements.
Principal of Scholars Degree College for Women G Tirupati Reddy, refuting the allegation, said the college usually considers such requests but the particular incident, which happened on Thursday, did not come to his notice.
The student said she had narrated her plight to one of the staff in the college to make alternative arrangements, but they did not listen.
She said she reached the college well within the stipulated time but college authorities denied her request.
".... I spoke to one of the officials to change my place as I could not climb the staircase. But they did not consider my request. After the incident, I approached University authorities also," she said.
The student said she hoped authorities would make arrangements at least for the next examination on Saturday.
She also sent a message to the assistant commissioner of police K Prudhvidhar Rao seeking his intervention in the matter.
"She sent me the message asking me to prevail upon the college to let her take the examination on the ground floor," the police official said, adding that he spoke to the college principal about the matter.
The principal reportedly told him that there were no specific guidelines on seat allotment.
"However, we consider such requests and provide special assistance. In fact, four other pregnant students have taken their examinations in my room and that of the vice-principal. This particular incident did not come to my notice," the principal said.
When contacted, station house officer R Devendar said he had received information that the student was not allowed to take the exam as she did not come on time, a charge which she has denied.