‘Illegal’ promotion of college principals in Haryana comes under lens

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 25

“Illegal” promotions to the post of principals in government colleges, allegedly in violations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules and regulations, have come under the scanner of the Education Department.

Taking cognisance of a communication from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), the Director General of Higher Education has directed state-run universities to probe the matter.

Among the universities asked to take action are Kurukshetra University; Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak; Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa; Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan (Sonepat); Indira Gandhi University, Meerpur (Rewari); Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University, Jind; Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani; Gurugram University; BR Ambedkar National Law University, Rai, Sonepat; and Balmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal.

A senior officer said the affiliating universities had been asked to probe any illegality in the appointment of government college principals in violation of the UGC guidelines in their jurisdiction.

Earlier this year, one Naveen Kumar, in a complaint to the UGC, had alleged “illegal” promotion to the post of government college principals in Haryana in violation of the UGC regulations.

Among the minimum qualifications for the promotion to the post of the principal are a Ph.D degree, professor or associate professor with a service of 15 years of teaching, research or administrative experience, and a minimum research score of 120.