Balangir, Jun 16: A large-scale racket involving B.Ed admissions linked to private colleges in Andhra Pradesh has surfaced across western Odisha, leaving hundreds of aspiring teachers defrauded of lakhs of rupees. The scam, which has spread from Balangir to districts like Bargarh, Nuapada and Kalahandi, has exposed the vulnerability of students desperate to secure limited seats in Odisha’s teacher training institutes, locals said on Tuesday.

At the centre of the controversy is the “RIMS Institute” in Kantabanji, run by agent Patitapaban Herna. According to complaints, Herna collected hefty sums from students promising admission and certification through Andhra-based colleges. While many students even travelled to Andhra Pradesh to sit for examinations, they were denied certificates upon completion. After repeated delays, aggrieved students surrounded the agent and dragged him to the local police station, demanding justice.

The incident has triggered widespread protests, with hundreds of students alleging similar fraud across multiple institutes. Local intermediaries and agents have mushroomed in towns, exploiting the shortage of B.Ed seats in Odisha. Currently, the state has only 2,800 seats across government and private institutions, while thousands of aspirants line up each year to pursue teaching careers.

Investigations reveal that several institutes in Balangir, including “Shreeji Institute” and “Gandhi Institute,” act as intermediaries, connecting students with Andhra colleges. While some claim to operate within legal frameworks, others have been accused of outright fraud. Institute heads admit that the lack of adequate seats in Odisha has created fertile ground for middlemen, urging the government to expand capacity to curb exploitation.
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Students like Bikash Sahu and Asim Banchhor, who approached the police, say they have lost their savings chasing teaching dreams. Herna, meanwhile, has reportedly sought ten days’ time to provide certificates, with police releasing him after initial questioning.

The scandal has raised serious questions about regulatory oversight and the role of private intermediaries in education. Unless the state government increases B.Ed capacity and clamps down on fraudulent agents, thousands of students risk losing both money and career prospects.