LUDHIANA/AMRITSAR:The Executive Body of Non-Govt. Colleges Managements Federation (NGCMF) today called upon the state government to save higher education in Punjab. While criticizing various arbitrary decisions being taken by DPI and Higher Education Department that undermine the autonomy of 142 aided Colleges in Punjab and Chandigarh, the apex body of colleges management vowed to fight for their rights.
The meeting which was held at DD Jain Memorial College for Women here under the chairmanship of its President Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, sought immediate release of pending grants under Post Matric Scholarships for SC students in one installment and restoration of 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme while making appointments of teachers in the colleges. The members strongly opposed the recent directive of the government to their nominees appointed to visit 28 aided colleges and submit their report within 10 days. The executive stated that they would take a legal recourse on the issue if the directive was not withdrawn.
“The Colleges are in the severe financial crisis and non-release of the SC scholarships pending grants have further complicated problems”, said Chhina adding that despite court orders the government was not releasing the money for SC students to the Colleges, jeopardizing the fate of the downtrodden. The meeting, he said, resolved that the government must withdraw the decision to nominate a representative to managing committees, which is a direct interference into the functioning of the colleges.
The meeting he said further ersolved that the government mjust withdraw its decision to nominate a representative to managing Committees, which is a direct intervention into the functioning of the Colleges.
The issues including pending DPI grants, implementing 95% grant-in-aid schemes instead of 75% for appointment of the teachers, filling up of vacant posts, repealing the reservation policy clear distinction in functioning of colleges and universities, waiving of road tax for vehicles owned by colleges and better coordination of state universities were also discussed in details.
The members also discussed the recent meeting of the body with Minister for Higher Education Pargat Singh in Chandigarh in which he was apprised of the problems and Federation would soon take a delegation to Secretary Higher Education to resolve the issues at priority. The meeting also decided to spearhead a major movement in the state to fight for the rights of the colleges and to save higher educational institutions.
“We are a paramount representative body of all the Colleges in the region and we would be joined by Principals’ and Teachers Associations in the coming days to press for our rights at the united forums”, said Chhina.
Federation’s Senior Vice President Ramesh Kumar Kaura, General Secretary SM Sharma, Vice President Sudarshan Kumar Modi, Secretary Agnese Dhillon, Finance Secretary Rakesh Kumar Dhir, Advisor Ravinder Joshi , Principal Dr. Mehal Singh, Principal Dr. Mahajan, Principal MP Singh, PPS Pangli and Maheshwari were present in the meeting.