CPI(M) hails HP HC notice to UGC

CPI(M) has welcomed the Himachal Pradesh High Court issuing notice to UGC for its "failure to enforce norms in private universities in the state.
In a statement issued here today, state secretariat member and Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation Takinder Panwar claimed that after the High Court's order quashing HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission Act 2010, some private institutions were issuing advertisements without getting prior approval of UGC for starting courses.
The CPI(M) urged the court to take notice of the advertisement which violated the Private Universities Act.
"The court had quashed the commission and not the State Private Universities Act the Section 32 (5) of which makes it mandatory to seek prior approval of UGC for starting various courses.

The High Court on October 28 issued notices to UGC, the state government and 16 private universities of the state, seeking a reply by November 13 over alleged violation of educational norms by these institutes.
Taking suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report, the court had said, "From the news item, it transpires that the UGC is abdicating its authority bordering on non-performance and disregarding violations committed by private universities."
The court had held that this was "polluting the environment" of quality education, and pointed out that the primary duty of maintaining standard of higher education lies with UGC.