Chennai: Even though girls have proved their mettle by outperforming boys in several fields, discrimination against them is still prevalent in the society.

Girls are not allowed to pursue B.E. in Mining or Marine Engineering courses in Tamil Nadu (TN).

The state government has excluded the admission of girl students for B.E. in Mining or Marine Engineering courses offered by four self-financing engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University.

The decision was based on the notification issued in October 2002 by Director General (DG) of shipping that is no more in action.

However, P Vijayan, Vice-Chancellor, Indian Maritime University, a Central University under the shipping ministry said, "This year we have admitted seven girl students to the course for which counseling was held a week back."

Whereas, P Mannar Jawahar, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University (Chennai), referred to the notification (No 11, TR (21)/97 dated October 3, 2002), issued by the DG of shipping and said, "As per the notification only Indian male candidates are eligible for joining the marine engineering programme."

Thus only boys are allowed to pursue marine or mining engineering courses and attend the ongoing single window counseling for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2009.

As per an Anna University official, "This is not the first time that admissions are barred to girl students; this has been the case in previous years as well."

When Ashima Gupta, Deputy Director General of Shipping (training) in Mumbai was contacted, she said, "Even renowned colleges like T S Chanakya and Marine Engineering Research Institutes in Mumbai and Kolkata have admitted girls. Two years back, the government had given incentives to girl students to enter the shipping sector. We had also issued an advisory (DGS Order No.2 of 2007) to private institutions requesting them to give a concession of 50% in fees to girl students in pre-sea courses."