Landline remains 'switched off' because of technical problem; mistake rectified after MiD DAY alerts state education board <table style="width: 81px; height: 42px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="81" align="right" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2011/feb/alisha.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr> <tr> <td> Can't get through: The HSC helpline number became active only after the exams for the day got over. representation pic</td></tr></tbody></table>In a shocking lapse by the office staffers at the Pune division of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), the helpline number advertised by the board for HSC students remained switched off till the papers got over on the first day of the exams yesterday. As an annual ritual, the MSBSHSE activated their helpline numbers and advertised in the media mentioning that the three numbers would be available to answer queries and ease stress levels of students appearing for SSC and HSC exams. They had also specified that one of the three numbers, 020-65292316, attached to Pune division would be exclusively taking calls from HSC students. In a major embarrassment to the MSBSHSE, the number remained switched off from morning to 4.15 pm yesterday, by which time the papers were over. This meant that if any HSC student tried reaching the number for help, they would have just heard a standard reply that the number they were trying to reach was switched off leaving the student to fend for themselves. When MiD DAY tried calling the helpline number between 11 am to 2 pm, the phone was switched off. MiD DAY then informed Ujjwaladevi Patil, chairperson of MSBSHSE, and she said she would get the helpline started. "I have told my staff about this and they are looking into it," she said when MiD DAY checked with her at 3.30 pm. True to her word, she made the calls to her staffers, who quickly rushed to the operator room and learnt that the landline phone was switched off since morning due to a technical problem. By 4.15 pm, the mistake was rectified and the helpline number activated. Patil confirmed that she rectified the error after MiD DAY brought the problem to her notice. "This number was started by Pune division, which reports to my office. After your call, I informed the concerned officials, who told me there was a technical problem because of which the phone was not getting charged and the number was switched off. Though repairs were done within an hour of the complaint, I reprimanded them because the number should not have been switched off on such a crucial day. They should have been more cautious," said Patil. Board staffers who attended the helpline said that because the number was switched off for most part of day, they barely received any calls. "We had two other numbers. One for general queries and one for SSC. Though we did get calls on those two numbers, there were not too many," said a phone operator.

Exams begin, but without promised vigilance panels

Landline remains 'switched off' because of technical problem; mistake rectified after MiD DAY alerts state education board

HSC helpline: On 1st day, flop show

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HSC helpline: On 1st day, flop show

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