After government snub, RGNUL reverses decision over conducting of exams

Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 11

After the state government snubbed Rajiv Gandhi University of Law (RGNUL) over conducting online examinations during government-announced summer vacations, the university has now reversed its decision.

The academic council of the university took the decision during a special online meeting convened on Sunday.

The university said the decision was taken in compliance with the orders of the state government that declared summer vacations in universities and colleges in the state from May 15.

Subsequently, the online examinations for final year BA LLB (integrated course) and LLM (one year course) students scheduled from May 18 have now been postponed.

The university called a meeting as Higher Education Secretary and Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit expressed objection over the move of university, while the district is facing restrictions due to Covid.

RGNUL Covid-19 committee proceedings which were passed in academic council on Sunday also noted that the university administration had received phone calls from the offices of Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, and higher education department “regarding summer vacations and restraint in conducting examinations during lockdown”.

The university’s academic council was then supposed to take the final call on the matter and it decided to take further decision on examination dates after summer break. 

Pertinently, the university not only ignored the government notification but also went against the advice of an expert committee.

An expert committee of former Chief Secretary KR Lakhanpal had stated that the exams of outgoing students were of priority but suggested against conducting them online given the high risk of cheating.

The Tribune had reported about the university’s decision of conducting exams on May 10.

Now, in a fresh notice uploaded on its website on Sunday evening, the university said, “Government of Punjab has declared summer vacations in all state Government Universities and colleges... RGNUL Covid 19 Committee has recommended, in compliance with orders of Punjab Government, to postpone the online examinations scheduled from 18th May 2020. The recommendations of Covid-19 committee have been approved by RGNUL Academic Council in its meeting dated 10th May 2020.”

Vice Chancellor Dr Paramjit Singh Jaswal during a conversation on Sunday said he had received a call from the Deputy Commissioner’s office over the matter, thus they have decided to go as per advice of state government and postponed exams