DU faculties demand UGC to take control of all 12 Delhi govt-funded colleges

New Delhi: The Delhi administration and university professors are at odds once more as grants to 12 state-funded colleges are being delayed. The grant, according to teachers, is woefully inadequate. They now expect the UGC to step in and ensure that the students are treated fairly.

The future of Delhi's 12 colleges, which are fully funded by the Delhi government, is still in doubt as the UGC has been asked to take over these colleges because of salary delays and other irregularities.

In addition, the term of the Governing Council in 28 colleges came to an end this month. However, even after the deadline had passed, the ruling body had made no suggestions as to the names of the new members.

The colleges whose demand for takeover has been made from UGC include Bhimrao Ambedkar College, Maharaja Agrasen College, Maharishi Valmiki College, Indira Gandhi Sports College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Sister Nivedita, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Science and Keshav Mahavidyalaya in Delhi.

According to DUTA President Rajib Ray, the issue of all these 12 colleges has been raised with the UGC as there is a constant crisis regarding the salary of teachers in these colleges.

Every one of these schools is wholly supported by the Delhi government. The UGC is now being pressed to assume control of all 12 colleges. According to Ray, the Delhi University teachers' union has officially made this demand to the UGC.

According to Ray, the DUTA officials have met UGC officials in this regard. UGC Secretary Professor Rajnish Jain and Financial Advisor P.K. Thakur were also present in the meeting.

The problem is not limited to these 12 colleges only. The term of the governing body of the 28 colleges funded by the Delhi government ended on September 13. The Delhi government has not finalised the names of the members of the governing body.

Teachers Association (DTA) President Hansraj Suman has told Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Education Minister Manish Sisodia that if the names of the members are sent soon, then an extension to the governing body should be given for three months in special circumstances.

He said that if the governing body of 28 colleges does not get an extension, then a truncated governing body will try to fill the backlog posts. Therefore, the government should write to the DU Vice-Chancellor regarding giving an extension to the state governing body.

The tenure of the governing body of 28 colleges funded by the Delhi government ended on September 13.