Following allegations of irregularities in transfer of students from one college to another on medical grounds, the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) on Wednesday laid down new guidelines. The governing body of the university decided that no student can seek transfer for institutions within 50 km of the parent college.

Controversy erupted after some low-ranking students were allegedly shifted to leading government colleges on health grounds. "There was no irregularity in transfer of the students. However, the existing regulations were silent on some issues, including inter-college transfer within the same city," said BPUT registrar Nihar Nayak.

The governing body of BPUT also decided to constitute a JEE Medical Board, comprising doctors and senior officers, who will verify the applications for transfer on medical grounds. "The new guidelines will be effective from 2014-15 academic session," Nayak added.

Secretary Employment and Technical Education & Training department C S Kumar said, "Transfers will be allowed only under extraordinary circumstances and in rare situations. Not more than five students per year per batch will be allowed from one institution to another on medical grounds."

Meanwhile, students of Regional College of Management (RCM), who were on three-month agitation demanding certificates, heaved a sigh of relief as the BPUT decided to regularize admissions since 2009.

"We do not want students to suffer and all admissions from 2009 to 2013 will be regularized. A detailed batch-wise list will be prepared for MBA and MCA courses and certificates will be distributed within a month. Students, who were admitted outside OJEE, will also be given certificates," informed Nayak.

However, decision on 27 MBA students, who were admitted to MBA (Tourism) programme of RCM, could not be taken. In 2009, RCM had filled up its 180 MBA seats when BPUT sent 27 students through JEE counselling, forcing it to adjust them in MBA (Tourism) programme. "We have decided to write to the All Indian Council of Technical Education to consider their cases as excess admission and allow us to regularize them," said Nayak.

The ETE&T, on the other hand, has ordered an enquiry into irregularities in RCM admission and why steps were not taken for such a long time, said secretary of the department.