Hyderabad: A biometric attendance scam allegation has raised questions over fees collected from students across university-affiliated colleges. Colleges reportedly collect Rs 100 from each student every semester under the biometric attendance fee.
Questions have emerged over how the money is being used and whether the attendance system works properly. A review of biometric records from the past six years has reportedly highlighted several concerns within colleges under Osmania University.
According to the report, more than half of the MBA colleges under OU allegedly lack teaching staff and basic facilities. Some colleges reportedly remain locked, while many students attend campuses mainly during examinations.
These conditions have raised questions about how biometric attendance is being implemented at such institutions. Private degree and MBA college managements have also questioned why students should pay the fee without effective university monitoring.
University rules require students to maintain more than 75% attendance to appear for examinations. However, the report alleges that many students do not regularly attend college but still submit project reports and obtain certificates.
OU officials are responsible for assessing biometric attendance before students receive hall tickets. Therefore, questions have been raised over whether officials are properly checking attendance records across affiliated colleges.
The report alleges that biometric attendance monitoring is absent in a majority of colleges. At the same time, students continue to pay the prescribed fee despite questions over actual monitoring.
Biometric attendance scam raises questions over collections
Official sources cited in the report estimated that around 10 lakh students study under the OU jurisdiction each semester. The reported student strength includes about 4.50 lakh degree students, one lakh postgraduate students and two lakh professional-course students.
In addition, around three lakh engineering students reportedly fall within the figures cited for the university jurisdiction. If each student pays Rs 100 per semester, the collections could run into crores across the OU region.
However, the report questioned whether every college has received the required biometric machines. It also raised concerns over whether the equipment functions properly and whether installation records are available.
Questions have also been raised about server arrangements and maintenance records for the biometric system. The report further questioned whether fund allocation and the tendering process were conducted transparently.
Meanwhile, allegations that the same system has continued for six years have intensified scrutiny. The biometric attendance scam allegations have therefore put student fee collection, attendance verification and university oversight under question.