The Congress government in Karnataka is working towards passing a joint resolution with other opposition ruled States against the new draft of University Grants Commission regulations at a conclave of Higher Education Ministers being organised in Bengaluru on February 5.
February 6 is the last date to submit objections to the new regulations, which many States have described as an ‘assault on federalism’.
Education Ministers of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Jharkhand and some other States ruled by non-BJP parties are expected to participate. Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar said a joint resolution opposing the draft guidelines is being drafted in consultation with the other States.
The draft University Grant Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Standards in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, gives the authority to appoint vice-chancellors and constituting search committees for their selection to the chancellor, usually the governor, and removes the role of the State Government in the process. This comes in the backdrop of run-ins of several opposition-led State Governments with their respective governors.
State Governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have opposed the draft.
“The draft guidelines severely curtail the power legitimately held by the States hitherto, and restrains the constitutional duties and responsibilities of States in higher education. Even a few National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies have opposed it. The conclave will bring together as many States as possible on one platform, discuss the pros and cons of the draft guidelines, and take a common position. A joint resolution will be passed at this conclave. This will be submitted as our objection to the draft guidelines to both the Union Government and the UGC,” Dr. Sudhakar said.
The conclave will comprehensively discuss the adverse effects of various UGC guidelines on public, private and deemed universities.
“UGC is trying to impose a new set of guidelines, essentially curbing the role of the State Governments in running of our public universities, without even consulting the States. They undermine the federal ethos of the country, and have to be immediately withdrawn,” he said.
Published – January 24, 2025 04:33 pm IST