VCs meet to discuss row over fresh permissions

Govt in a fix over handing over responsibility to APSCHE

Hyderabad: A meeting of all Vice-Chancellors of state universities will be held on April 11 to discuss the fall out of UGC’s diktat over new engineering colleges and fresh intake for the academic year 2014-15. The meeting is likely to come to an understanding over the procedure to be adopted in the immediate aftermath of bifurcation of the state as well as during the counseling of seats in professional colleges.

UGC, a few days ago, has imposed a one-year moratorium over permissions to new engineering colleges and increase in intake in the existing colleges. After Supreme Court’s ruling over invalidating AICTE’s powers in July last year, UGC has taken over the responsibilities of AICTE and eventually asked the varsities to take care of the affairs of all affiliated colleges.

Going by this norm, the universities will have the final say in the issuance of permissions to new colleges and intake, which leaves no space for the AP State Council for Higher Education (APSCHE) to intervene at any point of time. This has created a piquant situation for the apex body in the state. Since the council has full authority over the state universities, it felt it necessary to have its say in granting permission to new colleges as well.

“We have sent a letter to the government recently suggesting a way out on the issue of permissions to new colleges and fresh in take in various branches of engineering. We proposed formation of a three-member committee to do inspections in the new colleges. The panel will comprise of a member from the council, one from technical education department and another from the concerned university. If the authority is solely vested with the university as per the UGC guidelines, it may lead to unilateral decisions which would ultimately affect the students. We are awaiting a reply from the government,” Prof. L Venugopala Reddy, Chairman of the APSCHE told The Hans India.

“When we have been granting permissions to new degree colleges and other institutions of higher learning, why not engineering or MCA or MBA colleges?” he questioned.

The department of higher education is yet to take up the letter with the Governor ESL Narasimhan, who is also the Chancellor of state varsities. It has been in a dilemma over the issue since it fears any move at “the break-up time” would make matters complex.

“Nothing was discussed on the issue as the matters regarding bifurcation have been going on in full stream. But we have to do it well before engineering counseling,” a senior official said.