Delhi University’s 21 colleges have been warned by University Grants Commission (UGC) that their grants will be withhold if they do not appoint regular principals. Top institutions such as Kamla Nehru College, Gargi College, Hindu College, Jesus and Mary College are the part of this list. Surprisingly, there have been no regular principal in Hindu College since 2012 and other colleges have acting heads for almost eight years or more.
According to the official, the day to day functioning of the colleges are done by the use of funds. Whereas, long-term administrative decisions can only be taken by permanent principals.
However, the specific details about the percentage of the funds that will be frozen are unavailable at the moment. Some of the DU’S 90 affiliated colleges are funded by Delhi Government too.
A letter was written to the colleges and the DU registrar by the commission, that maintains higher education standards of our country, to inform them to start their appointment process for a permanent principal.
“It is once again requested to expedite the process of the selection of a full-time regular (principal) in your college. Further, you are hereby requested to inform the date of interview for the post of principals latest by 31 August 2018, failing which the UGC will be constrained to withhold the release of grants,” reads the letter.
The commission is to take actions against the colleges as directed by Human Resource Development Ministry, who have failed to make appointments despite of the direct instructions from the President’s office.
Earlier this year, the President’s office expressed their concern on the matter as the colleges are in the hands of acting heads.
According to the letter, there are still many colleges that haven’t bothered to compile with the directives of UGC/MHRD to appoint permanent principals. This kind of behavior shows a lack of commitment on the part of the college authorities, to strengthen the colleges academic and administrative atmosphere.
However, Hindu College’s governing body have called a meeting of the select committee on August 25. Suggestions will be made on that day and will further be ssnd to Delhi University for approval.
Former All India Council for Technical Education chairman S S Mantha said every college works on some basic principles and having a permanent leader is crucial. “For instance, ad hoc people may not always function to achieve goals because they would not know for how long they will be there,’’ he said. “…every institute has a vision. A person, who is given a fixed tenure of at least a few years, will be able to bring in certain changes that promote the vision of an institute and which will also help its growth.”
