Lucknow,

08 Sept (HS): Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath has taken a big step to ensure transparency and accountability in

the higher education sector of the state. He has ordered a thorough

investigation of the recognition and admission process of the courses run in

all the universities, colleges and educational institutions of the state.

State Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said that after the Barabanki

Ram Swaroop University case, many irregularities have come to light, which were

being done in universities and colleges. Government universities have been

linked to the 'Samartha Portal' of the Government of India. Also, the state

government is now going to develop a new portal. Just as the 'Samartha Portal'

of the Government of India connects all government universities, in the same

way this portal of the Uttar Pradesh government will connect private

universities and colleges. This will stop such irregularities in the future and

the entire system will become transparent.

Principal Secretary Higher Education M.P. Agarwal has issued a government order

regarding intensive investigation of recognition and admission process in all

private universities, private and non-government aided colleges and higher

educational institutions of the state. A special investigation committee has

been constituted in each district under the chairmanship of the District

Magistrate. The District Magistrate will be the chairman of this committee,

Senior Superintendent of Police/Superintendent of Police (or nominated officer

in case of Police Commissionerate) and an officer of the Education Department

will be included as members. The special committee constituted will take an

affidavit from each private university and college, in which it will have to be

clarified which courses they are running, whether all the courses are

recognized or not and how many students have taken admission in them. The

committee will also ensure that no student has been admitted in an unrecognized

course. After completing the investigation at each district level, it will send

a consolidated report to the government within 15 days. If any irregularity is

found in the investigation, punitive action will be taken against the

institute. If any student has been admitted illegally, then the institute will

have to refund his entire fee along with interest.

The Committee will also obtain the list of all the courses being offered along

with details of recognition by University Grants Commission and other relevant

statutory bodies such as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Bar

Council of India (BCI), Distance Education Council (DEC), Dental Council of

India (DCI), Indian Nursing Council (INC), Medical Council of India (MCI),

National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)

etc., along with number of seats or approval of the University/Board/Regulatory

body clearly mentioned.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi