Autorickshaws bring in HSC papers

While the first day of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board exam conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary of Education passed off without any major snags, the principals of colleges hosting the exams were surprised to see question papers being delivered to them in autorickshaws. Justifying the decision, board officials said that hiring taxis or private cabs was proving to be expensive and hence the central exam centers were instructed to hire autorickshaws to deliver question papers.

Speaking about receiving the question papers on Thursday by persons who had arrived at the center in a rickshaw, the principal of a suburban school said, “Previously the officials who delivered the question papers used to come in a private car or a cab but it was surprising to see them come in a rickshaw. When asked about the same, the official said that the board had barred the hiring of any other vehicle for the purpose and hence had to manage in an autorickshaw,” said the principal.

As question papers have to be sent securely, the police personnel who accompanies the official is thus forced to take a seat next to the rickshaw driver. “Usually there are two to three officials who go for delivering the question papers from the central exam center of an area. When using private cars or cabs the three officials sat on the back seat while the policeman sat on the front seat with the driver. Now he has to travel in uncomfortable conditions and sit next to the rickshaw driver,” said another principal.

When asked about the issue, S. Chandekar, secretary of the MSBSHSE, Mumbai region said that as the cabs or private cars were hired for the entire day the expenses being incurred were very high and hence they decided to go ahead with autorickshaws. “We have asked exam centers in suburbs to hire rickshaws to save costs but in places where they are not available, the chief exam conductor should contact the board office,” said Mr Chandekar, reiterating that the decision was there to stay.