Karnataka Minister M C Sudhakar has written to Union Minister for Training Dharmendra Pradhan expressing his opposition to the lately revealed draft UGC Rules, 2025.
Karnataka Minister M C Sudhakar has written to Union Minister for Training Dharmendra Pradhan expressing his opposition to the lately revealed draft UGC Rules, 2025. (HT_PRINT/Representational picture)
He stated UGC needs to be participating in a dialogue with state governments earlier than proposing any adjustments.
The College Grants Fee (UGC) referred to as for public session of its draft for Minimal {Qualifications} for Appointment and Promotion of Academics and Tutorial Workers in Universities and Schools and Measures for the Upkeep of Requirements in Increased Training Rules.
In a letter dated January 13, Karnataka Minister for Increased Training Sudhakar stated the state strongly opposes sure provisions associated to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, which he stated, strike on the root of the upper training system and powers of the state authorities.
Based on the minister, the draft tips present no function for the state authorities in deciding on the Vice-Chancellor of a college.
“The guidelines provide for a search-cum-selection committee appointed by the Chancellor/Visitor with no nominee of the State Government. The powers to appoint the Vice-Chancellor out of the panel recommended by the search-cum-selection committee is given solely to the Visitor/Chancellor,” added the minister.
The {qualifications} required for appointment of Vice-Chancellors, which embody non-academicians, additionally requires severe deliberation, he added. As per draft, stated the minister, if the Vice-Chancellor shouldn’t be appointed as per these tips, the appointment shall be null and void.
“This would contradict the provisions of the legislations governing Universities in the state, including in relation to the tenure and reappointment of Vice-Chancellors,” he added.
The minister stated the state authorities performs a crucial function in development of upper training within the state.
“Karnataka is at the forefront of higher education with a gross enrolment ratio higher than the national average. Substantial funds are provided by the state government to administer and run public universities in the state. Apart from developmental grants to universities, salaries and pensions of the permanent teaching and non-teaching staff are provided by the state exchequer,” stated Sudhakar.
He additionally stated UGC ought to ideally be participating in a dialogue with state governments to evaluate the current standing and points confronted by the colleges pertaining to varied scholar associated points within the current system earlier than proposing any radical adjustments to the present tips.
He urged the union training minister to direct the UGC to withdraw the draft tips instantly and have interaction in a wider session with state governments.