Latest news with #InstitutionsDeemedtobeUniversities
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Bid to take over registrar's room' at Gurukul Kangri foiled by striking employees
Haridwar: The administrative tussle at Gurukul Kangri (deemed-to-be) University in Haridwar intensified on Wednesday, with vice-chancellor (VC) Hemalatha K alleging that registrar Sunil Kumar tried to forcibly occupy the registrar's room "with the help of over 50 hooligans". Employees of the university, on strike since July over the adoption of the 2019 UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) regulations instead of the 2023 regulations, allegedly foiled the attempt, forcing Kumar to return to his makeshift office. Kumar had been removed by Hemalatha but was reinstated by chancellor S K Arya. The chancellor also removed Hemalatha and appointed Prabhat Kumar as VC, a move she refused to recognise, claiming her own appointment was made by the education ministry under UGC norms based on seniority. Before her removal, Hemalatha had appointed Vipul Sharma as registrar. Hemalatha has approached the Uttarakhand high court (HC) against her removal, alleging Prabhat captured the VC's office on July 7 with the help of the district administration. She also claims Arya's appointment as chancellor was illegal. Following Wednesday's incident, employees wrote to the district magistrate, demanding measures to prevent further attempts to "seize control of the university by force". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo They pointed out that such a takeover had succeeded on July 7 and noted that the high court had asked the district administration to name officials who allegedly helped Prabhat in that incident. Earlier last week, the high court observed that a March 3 letter signed by an under secretary granting the Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi units of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (APS), the varsity's governing body, exemption from the 2023 UGC regulations may not be acceptable to the court. The exemption allowed APS to retain appointment powers curtailed by the 2023 regulations, and in May, the court had cited the letter while allowing APS to appoint the university's chancellor and vice-chancellor. The case was filed by university employees against APS. The court's query to Gaurav Bhandari, the CGSC, drew what it termed an unconvincing reply in his counter affidavit. After reviewing it, the court asked him to specify the paragraphs containing the answer. On his response, the bench remarked: "A plain reading of the paragraphs nowhere states or reveals which provision of the UGC Act, 1956, vests competency in the under secretary to pass such an order or authorise such takeover of a university. " It added, "It is apparent that this respondent is deliberately evading an answer to the query which, in our prima facie opinion, goes to the very root of the matter. At this stage, we have no other option but to infer that the under secretary has acted without authority." If the court rules in favour of the teachers and employees, the letter granting the APS exemption will be cancelled and the university will be required to enforce the 2023 UGC regulations. "This has been our demand since the start," said the employees' leaders. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC asks UGC to flag deemed varsity approvals as subject to court verdict
Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Wednesday directed the (UGC) to explicitly state in all future approvals to deemed universities that its recognition will be subject to the final verdict in an ongoing petition filed by the state higher education department . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was hearing a writ petition filed by the Telangana education authorities, challenging the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023. These regulations allow deemed universities to be established without seeking state approval—a move the state contends is unconstitutional. Advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy argued that the regulations effectively bypass the state, even though it is the state that is ultimately answerable to students and parents. "These regulations are offensive. Even institutions operating out of small shops are now seeking the deemed tag," he said, adding that such institutions are also setting up unauthorized 'off-campus' centres. Sudarshan Reddy cited Entry 32 of List II (State List) in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which vests powers related to universities with the state. "We are required to issue an essentiality certificate, but the new rules say that if we don't respond in 60 days, the proposal is deemed approved. That's unconstitutional," he contended. He also mentioned a deemed university currently under CBI investigation for allegedly colluding with NAAC officials to inflate accreditation scores. Responding to the UGC's claim that Entry 66 (Union List) grants it the authority, the AG countered that it does not empower Parliament to override state jurisdiction in this matter. While the bench declined to stay the UGC regulations , it directed the commission to insert a clause in all approval letters stating that the grant of deemed university status will be subject to the court's final judgement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bench assured the state govt that a conclusive decision would be delivered in July. KL University, Aurora Deemed University, Malla Reddy University, Symbiosis, Chaitanya, and Vignan Deemed University have already received notices from the court.
