Higher Education Ministers' conclave passes 15-point resolutions demanding UGC to withdraw draft regulations

Bengaluru: The Higher Education Ministers' conclave hosted by the Karnataka government passed on Wednesday a 15-point resolution urging the University Grants Commission (UGC) to withdraw its draft regulations.

Addressing the media after the conclave, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar said the states will wait for UGC's decision and take a call on the next course of action.

"We demand UGC to immediately withdraw the draft regulations published and must organise a collective consultation with states," Sudhakar said.

Dr Sudhakar stated that it is a first step to safeguard the federal structure of the states. "This is just the beginning of our fight against the centre to save federal structure and this will be a serious beginning of serious con. Our next step will depend on the decision of the UGC. UGC should be a regulatory body, and it cannot control the states."

In the conclave ministers from six states, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh including Karnataka were present. The Maharashtra representative who was attending online was unable to continue due to technical issues.

Meanwhile, the Jammu & Kashmir minister communicated that they could not take part due to emergency meetings. Rajya Sabha members and senior leaders Dhigvijay Singh and Jairam Ramesh who were supposed to attend have sent their notes.

Even some states which are in alliance with BJP have expressed their objection to the UGC draft regulations. For eg, TDP, JDU, LJP have expressed their opinions against the draft and West Bengal has constituted an expert committee.

"We are confident that UGC and the Union Education Ministry will relook and invite all the states for a detailed deliberation," Sudhakar said.

Meanwhile, Sudhakar and ministers from other states present opined that Centre is trying to implement its agenda and UGC's draft regulations were part of imposing ideology in the education system.

However, a similar conclave is organised by Kerala state on February 20 and states are likely to decide on next step there.

Important points from resolution:

- States should be given a pivotal role in appointment of Vice Chancellors to state universities

- Regulations severely curtail the rights of the states in constituting the search committees for selection of Vice Chancellors

- Provision relating to appointing non-academics to be appointed as Vice Chancellors requires to be withdrawn

- Qualification, Term and eligibility for appointment of Vice Chancellors require serious re-consideration

- Provisions related to consequences of violations of the draft UGC regulations are drastic, excessive, undemocratic and should be reconsidered

- Making an entrance exam mandatory for basic undergraduate course is a huge barrier to increase GER

Quotes:

- Dr M C Sudhakar, Higher Education Minister, Karnataka: "Governors are Chancellors by convention. Situations in relating to relationship between governor and ruling government have changed. There are serious issues with regard to governor's functioning. Governors sitting on streets and protesting, some walking out of assemblies."

- Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industry, Telangana: "UGC must immediately withdraw the draft regulations to safeguard the co-operative federalism. States must have autonomy and freedom in education."

- Dr Govi Chezhian, Minister for Higher Education Tamil Nadu: "Education is a subject linked to culture and local of that state. When state governments give land and infrastructure, why no say in appointing Vice Chancellors."

Rohit Thakur, Minister for Education, Himachal Pradesh: "The draft regulations are against the constitution and attack on federal structure."