Committee under collector to inquire into student deaths at BITS Pilani: CM

Panaji: The death of a student at the BITS Pilani, Goa campus—the fifth such case in the past 10 months—has forced state govt to step in. Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said a committee under the South Goa collector has been constituted to conduct a thorough inquiry into the recurring incidents at the BITS Pilani K K Birla, Goa campus.Sawant said govt will decide on further action after receiving the collector’s report.“I express sorrow over the sad incident that occurred at BITS Pilani. I immediately called and inquired about the case over the phone about the student who is from Bengaluru. Considering all the incidents that occurred in the past, a committee has been established under the South Goa collector. In such an educational institute, if such incidents occur, they need a thorough inquiry,” Sawant said.He added that govt will also issue advisories and instructions to institutions on counselling and preventive measures once the inquiry findings are reviewed. “Whether through the directorate of higher education or govt, we will give full directions and advisory to the institute,” he said.Sawant further announced that a similar committee would be set up under the North Goa collector.“We don’t want such incidents in educational institutes. It is not good for the state and for such institutions. Once I get this report, I will compare it with earlier reports and then issue appropriate instructions,” he said.