Govt sends VC nominee list, guv says no SC direction to appoint state’s candidates

Govt sends VC nominee list, guv says no SC direction to appoint state’s candidates

Apr 18, 2024, 03.52 AM IST

Kolkata: It might have been a state holiday but the higher education department on Wednesday sent a list of names to C V Ananda Bose to “promptly” appoint interim vice-chancellors at six universities following a Supreme Court directive to the governor, also the chancellor, to appoint VCs from among those recommended by the state. Bose, however, said the apex court never asked him to appoint VCs from among state nominees.

The state recommended to appoint Bhaskar Gupta from Jadavpur University’s electronics and telecommunication engineering as the JU VC and Pabitra Chattopadhyay from Burdwan University’s chemistry department as the Gour Banga University VC. The other state nominees are former VCs Prem Poddar for Darjeeling Hills University, Tapan Kumar Biswas for Harichand Guruchand University, Amiyo Panda for Sadhu RamChand Murmu University in Jhargram and Ashutosh Ghosh for Rani Rashmoni Green University.

Raj Bhavan issued a statement, saying: “(There is) No direction by Supreme Court that Chancellor should appoint Govt’s nominees as Vice Chancellors. Supreme Court order clarifies the Chancellor’s authority in appointing Vice Chancellors.” But it went on to add: “The Govt gave a list of 31 names... the Governor decided to choose Six names from the list...” In the SC hearing on Tuesday, attorney-general R Venkataramani, appearing for the chancellor, said he had approved six names from the list sent by the Mamata Banerjee govt.

State education minister Bratya Basu said, “It appears the hon’ble chancellor is in deep confusion regarding his role! Why is the chancellor attempting to create confusion by knitting lengthy arguments? Is the chancellor feeling insecure?”

Gupta, state VC nominee for JU, told TOI, “I have an emotional attachment with this university. If I get to work for the betterment of this university, I am ready to accept the challenge.” JU has been running without a VC ever since Bose removed interim VC Buddadeb Sau from his post hours ahead of convocation on Dec 24 last year. Though the state had asked Sau to continue as the VC, Sau had stopped attending the VC’s office.

After the proposed names were revealed, TOI spoke to Sau. He said “I was appointed when the university was going through a turmoil, and I tried my best to control the situation. I tried to serve the interest of over 4,000 students instead of serving the interest of an individual. Any suitable person can be appointed here, and I have full respect for him... I want to say the issues were not being addressed properly and I was victimised.”

Gour Banga University’s officiating VC Rajat Kishor Dey was also removed by the chancellor. The state VC nominee for university, Chottopadhyay, told TOI, “I will not comment as I have not received any confirmation from the state or Raj Bhavan.” Dey did not answer calls from TOI.

Rani Rasmani Green University’s ex-interim VC Ashutosh Ghosh said, “Darjeeling Hills, Harichand Guruchand, Sadhu RamChand Murmu and Rani Rashmoni Green universities have been running without a VC for a year.”This story had continued from a page 1 story in the newspaper. For your reading convenience we have added it below.

No SC order to pick VCs from govt’s list: Guv

A day after SC directed the governor to appoint 6 VCs from names recommended by the state, Bengal govt on Wednesday sent a list of names to Raj Bhavan. Governor C V Ananda Bose, however, claimed there was no SC directive that he should appoint govt’s nominees as VCs. In the SC on Tuesday, AG R Venkataramani, appearing for the chancellor, had said he had approved 6 names from the list sent by the govt.

MP: 'Did Not Get Time To Study,' 2nd Year BDS Students Demand To Postpone Exams By 2 Months

MP: 'Did Not Get Time To Study,' 2nd Year BDS Students Demand To Postpone Exams By 2 Months

The students have submitted a memorandum to the Dean, MGM Medical College demanding the change in exam schedule.

Staff Reporter Updated: Monday, March 18, 2024, 05:18 PM IST

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Students of the second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) have appealed to the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU), Jabalpur, to postpone the exams by two months.

The students have submitted a memorandum to the Dean of MGM Medical College demanding the change in exam schedule, alleging that they didn’t get time to study the semester and that even the compulsory 240-day teaching has not been completed.

“MPMSU has scheduled the BDS second-year exam for April 3. However, the previous semester exam was concluded only a couple of months ago, and we didn’t get time to study the third semester. Moreover, the syllabus and preclinical quota have not been completed, due to which students are anxious,” the BDS students said.

They added that the early exam will impact the preparations and also the results, which will have a cascading effect on the final results.

“We have appealed to the Dean of MGM Medical College, as the college is the regional center of MPMSU. We have also dashed off letters to the vice chancellor, registrar, and exam controller of the university for the same,” the BDS students said, adding, “About 120 students of Government Dental College and Indore Dental College, Rau, are being affected by the early exams.”

Meanwhile, Dean Dr. Sanjay Dixit said that they will forward the demands of the students to MPMSU. A decision will be taken by the university to postpone the exam.

HC Dismisses Petitions Against GST Collection by KNRUHS

HC Dismisses Petitions Against GST Collection by KNRUHS

Legal Affairs L. Ravichander 24 February 2024 11:50 PM (Update:24 February 2024 11:50 PM) 

Telangana High Court. (DC) Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court dismissed a batch of writ petitions assailing the demand of GST by Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) on affiliation fees and inspection fees together with arrears from July 2017. The bench, comprising Justice P. Sam Koshy and Justice A. Laxminarayana Alishetty, examined the demand at the instance of Care College of Nursing and other nursing colleges.

 The university, referring to the communications from the authorities, stated that it has been directed by GST authorities to collect and deposit the GST dues from July 2017 onwards on affiliation and inspection fees paid by private institutions. It is called upon the colleges to submit 9% SGST and 9% CGST (a total of 18% as GST) on the affiliation and inspection fee paid to the University from July, 2017 onwards by way of a demand draft. All the petitioners are nursing colleges affiliated to the university, which charges inspection and affiliation fees from the respective colleges. All the colleges in this batch of writ petitions have paid inspection fees and also affiliation fees after being granted affiliation. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIT) made a demand for payment of GST. At the time when the GST was enacted, “educated services” was one of the taxable subjects. However some services enjoyed statutory exemption. It was also made clear that conducting entrance examination and collection of entrance fees also had been brought within the exempted category and, thus, it would include affiliation and inspection fees, the petitioner contended.

 It was unsuccessfully canvassed by the petitioner that affiliation is intrinsically connected with the educational institutions having affiliation from a particular university. That since the object of the varsity is to also ensure a uniform curriculum and standards among the different affiliated colleges imparting education on the same course. In the instant case, it is the nursing course, which is being imparted by the petitioners herein, therefore, the first respondent, the university would also fall within the purview of ‘educational institution’ and as such the petitioners would also be exempted from the levy of GST on inspection and affiliation fees. Dominic Fernandez, appearing for the CBITC, pointed out that the notifications issued in 2018 showed that collection of affiliation and inspection fee does not stand exempted. He relied upon the decision of the department, which pointed at exempted services, including collection of application fees for entrance examination and also collection of fees for issuance of eligibility certificates and admission fees. They also decided that as per the circular G.S.T. @ 18% applies to such services provided by the board or university so far as accreditation to education institutions was concerned. The bench on a scrutiny of the various notifications and the law specially said that inspection and affiliation fees, however, is not part of the said notification granting exemption and added that surprisingly, in the instant case, as of now, the first respondent does not seem to be aggrieved of the demand raised by the respondent-department so far as payment of GST on inspection and affiliation fees was concerned. 

It is at the inception stage of the educational institutions that the inspection is conducted and the affiliation is granted thereafter. The admission and the services rendered by the educational institutions to the students, the faculty and the staff are all services rendered subsequent to the affiliation. Therefore, the contention that the petitioners have canvassed was hard to accept, the bench reasoned.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/legalnews/hc-dismisses-petitions-against-gst-collection-by-knruhs-883213

MBBS students not allowed to attend classes

MBBS students not allowed to attend classes

Speaking to TNIE, vice chancellor Dr K Narayanasamy said, “I have instructed the colleges to follow NMC norms.

Express News Service

Updated on:

21 Mar 2024, 8:39 am

1 min read

CHENNAI: The Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE) has written to the vice-chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University to allow MBBS students who failed to clear second year university exams to attend third year classes as per National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, on Wednesday.

In their representation to the vice-chancellor, the association said students detained in the second year were not being allowed to attend third year classes in a few medical colleges like Nilgiris, Krishnagiri, Virudhunagar and Kallakurichi. They also should be allowed to write supplementary exams.

Speaking to TNIE, vice chancellor Dr K Narayanasamy said, “I have instructed the colleges to follow NMC norms. A few students also requested to allow them to write the university exam if their attendance is short by 1-2%, but this cannot be done as per NMC norms. Attendance is mandatory. Students should have 75% attendance for theory and 80% for practicals.”

Financial crisis: Madras univ staff wear black badge to work

Financial crisis: Madras univ staff wear black badge to work

Salaries for the employees were credited late while the contractual employees are still awaiting their pending dues for the past three months.

Subashini Vijayakumar

Updated on:

19 Mar 2024, 10:28 am

CHENNAI: Employees of Madras University on Monday wore black badges to work with the institution yet to find a permanent solution to its financial crisis.

At present, the university has been diverting the fees received from students through the Institute of Distance Education (IDE) to pay the salaries, employees said.

The I-T department had frozen more than 50 bank accounts saying that the university has to pay Rs 424 crore tax on the grounds that the university could not be considered a government university as the state’s contribution to the funds was less than 50% since 2016-17. Following this, the university gave an undertaking that the amount would be paid in installments and de-froze the accounts at the beginning of this month. Salaries for the employees were credited late while the contractual employees are still awaiting their pending dues for the past three months.

According to the employees, there are several deductions in their salaries, including insurance and loans they have got from cooperative societies. “The university has only credited us the salaries with help of IDE funds. It has not paid the insurance and loan deductions to the institutions concerned. This will only cause problems for us as we have to pay the amount with an additional interest,” a senior professor from the university said.

Moreover, professors said the university is already providing books for students pursuing distance education courses late as some of the funds are diverted for other expenses. Now, they are planning to divert the entire IDE funds to pay the salaries this year. This is against the welfare of students and the government has to step in before the situation goes out of hand, the employees said.

“There are more than 130 temporary workers on the four campuses in Chennai. We are yet to get salaries since January. While we are paid around Rs 9,000 a month. We are borrowing money every month to make ends meet. Since we are essential staff, we feel bad to quit as well,” a watchman in the university said.

Central University Hiring Vice-Chancellor, Salary ₹ 2.10 Lakh

Central University Hiring Vice-Chancellor, Salary ₹ 2.10 Lakh

The deadline for submitting the application form is April 14, 2024.

Education

Edited by Puniti Pandey

Updated: March 18, 2024 3:46 pm IST

New Delhi:

Ministry of Education has extended the registration dates for filling the applications for the appointment of vice-chancellor of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow. The advertisement and the application form are available on the websites https://www.education.gov.in and www.bbau.ac.in

The deadline for submitting the application form is April 14, 2024. The post carries a pay of ₹ 2,10,000 per month with Special Allowance of ₹ 11,250 and other usual allowances. The terms and conditions of the services will be those as mentioned in the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the University.

As per the official notification, "The vice-chancellor, being the academic as well as administrative head, is expected to be a visionary with proven leadership qualities, administrative capabilities as well as teaching and research credentials. He/she must have an outstanding academic record throughout and a minimum of 10 years' experience as a professor in a university system or in an equivalent position in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organisation. The candidate should preferably be not more than 65 years of age."

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow is a central university established by BBAU Act, 1994. Appointment will be made from a panel of names recommended by a committee constituted under the provisions of the BBAU Act, 1994.

Bindi, lipstick and handcuffs: Punjab man arrested for impersonating girl at exam

Bindi, lipstick and handcuffs: Punjab man arrested for impersonating girl at exam

The youth, Angrez Singh, was caught after the invigilators at the DAV Public School in Kotkapura verified his details using biometrics.

The youth, Angrez Singh, had come to appear for the exam, on behalf of Paramjit Kaur, wearing a red dress, bangles, bindi and a cap. (File picture)

India Today News Desk

Kotkapura,UPDATED: Jan 14, 2024 22:08 IST

Written By: Ashutosh Acharya

A man was recently arrested in Punjab's Faridkot for attempting to take an examination by impersonating a girl, police said. The youth, identified as Angrez Singh from Fazilka, was appearing for the exam of multi-purpose health workers held by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, in DAV Public School in Kotkapura on January 7.

The university administration, with the help of biometric devices, caught the accused who had forged a fake identity with counterfeit Aadhar and voter cards.

The university administration promptly filed a complaint with the police, suspecting the possibility of involvement in a larger network. This incident follows a similar case reported earlier.

The boy, who had dressed as a girl for the examination was adorned with red bangles, a bindi, lipstick, and was seated wearing a ladies' suit.

A fake voter ID card and a fake Aadhar card was seized from Angrez Singh, who had come to appear for the exam in disguise. (Image: India Today)

Dr Rajeev Sud, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences told India Today TV that Angrez was appearing for the exam on behalf of a girl, identified as Paramjit Kaur, a resident of Fazilka.

The man was immediately taken into custody by police and the real candidate's form has also been rejected by the administration. A case has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway.

"We received a complaint from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, and we are currently investigating the matter. We will take appropriate action after completing our inquiry," Faroidkot SP Jasmeet Singh said.

(With inputs by Prem Passi)

KERALA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Allow Dr Ruwise to rejoin course’

TNN | Mar 15, 2024, 05.39 AM IST

Kochi: The high court has issued a directive to the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and others to permit Dr E A Ruwise, a medical postgraduate student at Thiruvananthapuram Govt Medical College, who was accused in a case related to the suicide of a fellow medical postgraduate student, to rejoin the course.

While considering Ruwise’s petition to revoke the suspension order, Justice C P Mohammed Niyas stayed the suspension order and its further proceedings, directing the respondents to pass an order within a week to permit him to continue his studies. The bench also instructed them to take necessary steps to prevent any untoward incident in the college upon his rejoining.

It was alleged that Ruwise had a relationship with Dr Shahana, who was also a postgraduate student at the same medical college.

Shahana committed suicide on Dec 4, 2023. Following a complaint from her family, Dr Ruwise was accused of demanding a large dowry for finalizing the marriage, leading to his arrest by the police. He was later released on bail by the HC’s order. Subsequently, the medical college authorities suspended Ruwise from the course, prompting him to approach the court.

Previously, the bench had directed the health university to consider the petitioner’s representation and decide the matter. However, the authorities rejected it on March 2.

The court emphasized that the petitioner was merely an accused in a crime, albeit with serious charges. Dr Ruwise had gained admission to PG course on merit. Keeping him away from studies pending the inquiry or trial would potentially place him in a situation where irreparable damage might occur if the charges are not proven, the bench added.

RGUHS to file cases against 4 nursing colleges

Fake receipt scam: RGUHS to file cases against 4 nursing colleges 

Four private nursing colleges were accused of faking receipts to the tune of over Rs 10 lakh. On August 24, DH had published a report on the fake receipt scam at RGUHS. Rashmi Belur DH...

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/fake-receipt-scam-rguhs-to-file-cases-against-4-nursing-colleges-2748884

No more booklets: RGUHS looks to trial writing exams on special tablets

 No more booklets: RGUHS looks to trial writing exams on special tablets

TNN | Feb 27, 2024, 06.54 AM IST

No more booklets: RGUHS looks to trial writing exams on special tablets

BENGALURU: RGUHS is planning to introduce paperless exams for its students. A pilot will be run for about 2,000 students of physiotherapy and fellowship programmes this March where answers will be written into the tablet and uploaded on the server immediately after the exam, leaving very little space for malpractice.

No more booklets: RGUHS looks to trial writing exams on spl tablets

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is planning to introduce paperless exams for its students. With this, the students won't write the exams on paper, but on customized tablets.

As per the university's plans, a pilot will be run for about 2,000 students of physiotherapy and fellowship programmes this March. The initiative will be extended to other programmes soon. The answers written into the tablet will be uploaded on the server immediately after the exam, leaving very little space for malpractice. There will be no change in the question paper pattern. "The issue we foresee is a mind block on whether students will be able to use the pen with ease. But we're sure it will ease once the students try it out. We saw similar resistance when we introduced peripheral screening and digital evaluation. But now, these methods are being adopted by other states and have been appreciated by the National Medical Commission," said Dr MK Ramesh, vice-chancellor of RGUHS.

The move, he said, would help not just curb malpractice in exams and retain its sanctity, but also help the environmental cause. The university is certain the process will be cost effective. "There are tabs costing Rs 8,000-10,000 that will serve no other purpose but to write exams. One tab will be used for four years by a student. We'll decide whether the same tab can be handed over to another student, depending on how much technology has advanced then," he said.

The tab will replace the cost of buying paper and transporting it, among others. The amount the varsity spends on answer booklets alone every year is Rs 7-8 crore, considering that about 17 lakh booklets are used.

RGUHS has already added a face recognition system and other AI tools to curb exam malpractice.

Medical colleges in Telangana allot ineligible examiners for MBBS practicals

Medical colleges in Telangana allot ineligible examiners for MBBS practicals

Many MSc faculty allotted for MBBS practical exams owing to lack of qualified members

Express News Service

Updated on: 

14 Mar 2024, 8:55 am

HYDERABAD : In contravention of norms of the National Medical Commission (NMC), many government medical colleges (GMC) in the state have allotted MSc and MSc PhD faculty as internal and external examiners for the MBBS practical examinations conducted in the colleges under the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS).

As per the NMC norms, the examiners for the internal and external practical MBBS examinations must have at least four years of teaching experience after a postgraduate degree following MBBS. Therefore, faculty members who have only completed an MSc or MSc PhD are not eligible. The university had also issued the same directions in this regard to the colleges. However, owing to a lack of qualified members in various colleges across the state, many MSc faculty have been allotted for the MBBS practical exams, according to sources.

An assistant professor at the Suryapet Government Medical College told TNIE, “The norms, changed a few years ago, disallow MSc faculty from being examiners. However, the practice continues in government medical colleges.”

Irregular recruitment

While every GMC in the state has been reeling from a shortage in staff, the issue is more deep-rooted than that. Doctors said that most of the recruitment in the GMCs was on a contract basis for a year, while the recruitment of regular teaching staff was not done regularly.

Elaborating on the issue, a doctor from Nalgonda GMC said, “New government medical colleges are coming up in the state without the required infrastructure and teaching faculty. Some colleges have only one or two teaching staff. Meanwhile, the government is reluctant to fill vacancies regularly due to lack of funds. Contractual hiring fails to address understaffed GMCs, as these staff members serve for a year and many are hesitant to join due to limitations on private practice and lack of travel allowances for remote postings.”

He pointed out that while a faculty member under contract gets Rs 1.25 lakh per month, the regular faculty gets `85,000 for the same designation.

Regularise services: Doctors

Doctors and professors are advocating for the regularisation of contractual hiring as the most viable solution to address the understaffed GMCs and prevent ineligible faculty from being deployed as examiners.

Speaking to TNIE, Telangana State Medical Council vice-chairman Dr Gundagani Srinivas said, “We have been demanding the government to make all the faculty positions permanent. We also want them to be paid on par with the doctors at NIMS and AIIMS. Low salary is a major issue behind doctors preferring to join private hospitals. We also want the government to allow the doctors to carry on private practice outside the official working hours of 9 am to 4 pm.”

He said that the government’s latest decision to hire 4,356 new teaching faculty in the colleges was a temporary fix and that only by making these staff permanent can the issue of under-staffed colleges be resolved permanently.

முதல் தலைமுறை வாக்காளர்களான கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க நடவடிக்கை: துணைவேந்தர்களுக்கு ஆளுநர் அறிவுரை

முதல் தலைமுறை வாக்காளர்களான கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க நடவடிக்கை: துணைவேந்தர்களுக்கு ஆளுநர் அறிவுரை

முதல்முறை வாக்காளர்களிடையே 100 சதவீத வாக்குப்பதிவை அடைவதற்கான வியூகங்களை வகுப்பதற்காக அனைத்து பல்கலை. துணைவேந்தர்களுடன் தமிழக ஆளுநரும், மாநிலப் பல்கலைக்கழகங்களின் வேந்தருமான ஆர்.என்.ரவி சென்னை ராஜ் பவனில் கலந்துரையாடினார்.

சென்னை: முதல் தலைமுறை வாக்காளர்களான கல்லூரி மாணவர்களை தேர்தலில் 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க செய்யுமாறு பல்கலைக்கழக துணைவேந்தர்கள் ஆலோசனை கூட்டத்தில் ஆளுநர் ஆர்.என்.ரவி வலியுறுத்தியுள்ளார்.

இதுதொடர்பாக ஆளுநர் மாளிகை வெளியிட்டுள்ள செய்திக்குறிப்பில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதாவது: தமிழக ஆளுநரும், பல்கலைக்கழகங்களின் வேந்தருமான ஆர்.என்.ரவி, அனைத்து பல்கலைக்கழக துணைவேந்தர்களுடன் ஆளுநர் மாளிகையில் கடந்த11-ம் தேதி ஆலோசனை நடத்தினார். அப்போது, முதல் தலைமுறை வாக்காளர்களான கல்லூரி மாணவர்களை தேர்தலில் 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க செய்வது தொடர்பாக வலியுறுத்தினார்.

முதல் தலைமுறை வாக்காளர் களை 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க செய்யும் இந்த முயற்சியை ஓர் இயக்கமாக கருதி, வாக்களிப்பது குறித்து மாணவர்களிடம் விழிப்புணர்வு ஏற்படுத்தவும், அவர்கள்அனைவரும் வாக்காளர் அடையாள அட்டை பெற்றிருப்பதை உறுதிப்படுத்தவும் உரிய கவனம் செலுத்துவதாக துணைவேந்தர்கள் உறுதியளித்தனர்.

இதற்காக என்சிசி, என்எஸ்எஸ் மாணவர்களின் உதவியை நாடுவது குறித்தும், மாணவர்களுக்கு வாக்காளர் அட்டை வழங்க புதிய செயலியை உருவாக்குவது குறித்தும் கூட்டத்தில் ஆய்வு செய்யப்பட்டது. மாணவர்களை 100 சதவீதம் வாக்களிக்க வைக்கும் கல்லூரிகள், துறைகளை பாராட்டுவதற்கான திட்டங்கள் குறித்தும் கூட்டத்தில் விவாதிக்கப்பட்டது.

100 சதவீத வாக்குப்பதிவுக்கு நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ளும் துணைவேந்தர்கள், ஆளுநர்மாளிகையில் பாராட்டப்படுவார்கள். வாக்குப்பதிவின் முக்கியத்துவம் குறித்து மாணவர்களிடம் எடுத்துரைக்க, பல்கலைக்கழகங்களில் விழிப்புணர்வு பிரச்சாரங்கள், பேரணிகள் நடத்த வேண்டும் என்றும் அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டது. சமூக வலைதளங்களின் பயன்பாடும், பொழுதுபோக்கு வீடியோ காட்சிகளும் இந்த விழிப்புணர்வு பணிக்கு பெரிதும் வலுசேர்க்கும். இவ்வாறு அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

University of Madras remaining without a vice-chancellor for seven long months is unfathomable, says Madras HC

University of Madras remaining without a vice-chancellor for seven long months is unfathomable, says Madras HC

Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy say such a prestigious institution remaining headless for so long is not good for maintenance of academic excellence

March 10, 2024 08:11 pm | Updated 08:11 pm IST - CHENNAI

THE HINDU BUREAU

The University of Madras is without a Vice Chancellor since August 2023, the court noted.

The delay in appointing a Vice-Chancellor to the University of Madras since August 2023 has not gone down well with the Madras High Court.

First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy wrote: “The University of Madras is without a Vice Chancellor since August 2023. It is one of the prestigious Universities in the State of Tamil Nadu.

“The said University is without its head for almost seven months. Only on the ground that the matter is pending in the Supreme Court, i.e. the State of Tamil Nadu filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, steps for appointment of Vice Chancellor in accordance with law are not undertaken.”

The Bench also said: “We cannot fathom a University without a Vice Chancellor for such a long period. The same is also not good for the maintenance of the academic excellence.”

The observations were made while passing an interim order on a writ petition filed by advocate B. Jagannath last year insisting upon the inclusion of a University Grants Commission nominee in the search panel constituted by the State government for identifying suitable candidates to the post of vice-chancellor.

After the filing of the present writ petition, the Division Bench was informed that the Legislative Assembly had passed a Bill for making the Chief Minister as the Chancellor of all State universities but the Governor had not given his assent to it. The State government had, therefore, taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

Due to the delay in disposal of that case, there was a consequent delay in appointment of Vice-Chancellor to the University of Madras, State Government Pleader A. Edwin Prabhakar told the Bench and sought some time to get instructions on finalising the search panel.

Accepting the request, the Bench granted an adjournment till April 2 as a last chance.

Teachers and students cry foul as Bharathidasan University ‘flunks’ many in exams

Teachers and students cry foul as Bharathidasan University ‘flunks’ many in exams

They are losing ranks due to negligence of the university administration.

Students protesting in front of the university over alleged irregularities in semester results | EXPRESS

Updated on:

09 Mar 2024, 8:02 am

TIRUCHY: Teachers and students of a few colleges affiliated to Bharathidasan University allege irregularities in the recently-released semester examination results. They also took to a protest over the issue in front of the university on Thursday. Students of the government arts colleges in Thuvakudi, Lalgudi and Manachanallur, besides Imayam College claimed that they were given single-digit marks despite performing well in the examination and that some were even marked absent when they had actually attended them. In a representation to the BDU administration, Thuvakudi college's principal SS Rose Mary listed names of more than 40 of its "affected" students in four departments.

The letter also stated that "some students who are eligible for national post-matric scholarships risk losing eligibility for not only the scholarship but also securing a place in the list of university rank holders."

Listing out alleged irregularities in paper correction, SFI-Tiruchy president Mohan said, "It's not only [students of] four colleges in the list. There are more colleges affected by the issue. Many will come forward soon."

"Most students who secured single-digit marks are best performing students. They are losing ranks due to negligence of the university administration. The controller of examinations didn't respond properly to students' queries," he added.

P David Livingston, state president of the Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers' Association, said, "When the affected students ask for an explanation, the university asks for Rs 900 in fees. How can students be held responsible for the mistakes made by the university? Genuine demands should be addressed immediately without charges."

"As of date more than 150 students are affected, especially those from the political science, commerce, public administration and geography departments. The controller should take responsibility, initiate an inquiry immediately and punish the people involved."

When contacted, S Srinivasa Ragavan, the university's controller of examinations, told TNIE, "Students can opt for revaluation anytime by paying fees. We are in the process of collecting data of the students and their marks. There are no clerical mistakes our side. We need some time to evaluate. The issue will be sorted out in a few weeks."

Former Delhi University ad-hoc professor booked for opening ‘pakoda’ stall outside varsity

Former Delhi University ad-hoc professor booked for opening ‘pakoda’ stall outside varsity

Dr Ritu Singh started the 'pakoda' stall after 192 days of protest outside the Arts Faculty against alleged caste harassment and illegal termination from services

By: Express News Service

New Delhi | Updated: March 7, 2024 22:46 IST

An ad-hoc psychology professor, Dr Singh joined the Daulatram College in 2019 but was removed within a year, and her contract was not renewed. (Instagram/ Dr Ritu Singh)

The Delhi Police on Thursday said they booked Dr Ritu Singh, a former ad-hoc professor of Delhi University, for allegedly encroaching an area outside the varsity premises with her ‘pakoda’ stall.

“We sent a team to remove the stall as it was impeding public movement in the area,” said a senior police officer. An FIR has been registered against Dr Singh under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation).

A former ad-hoc psychology professor, 28-year-old woman from the Dalit community took to frying pakoras earlier this week, after 192 days of protest outside the Arts Faculty against alleged caste harassment and illegal termination from services. Dr Singh had joined Daulatram College in 2019 but was removed within a year, and her contract was not renewed.

On this, Dr Singh told The Indian Express, “I have no job, so I took to the streets to sell ‘pakodas’ to make my own bread in this very same university that awarded me my degree. This is where I am, after being wrongly terminated from my services.”

“There have been several attempts to silence my protest against the injustice which took place. My cart ‘PhD pakode wali’ is also part of my protest… I started this cart on Sunday, without causing any inconvenience to anyone at gate number 4 of the Arts Faculty, where I earlier held my protest… A day or two later, police visited the spot, asking me for my licence for the cart and threatened me to leave the premises… I could have been served a notice in a dignified manner, but what was the need to book me under a case for this?” she asked.

Dr Singh said she would return to the university on Friday to run a mobile cart and make a special statement on International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8 every year.

In August 2020, Dr Singh was not given the joining letter, following which, she took the matter to the Delhi High Court.

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd

First uploaded on: 07-03-2024 at 16:59 IST

HC Rules Private Medical Colleges Must Pay GST on Affiliation and Inspection Fees

HC Rules Private Medical Colleges Must Pay GST on Affiliation and Inspection Fees 

DC Correspondent 28 October 2023 9:31 PM (Update:29 October 2023 3:02 AM) 

 Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court made it clear to private medical and nursing colleges which are affiliated to the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences that they must pay GST on the affiliation fee and inspection fee, with arrears from July 2017. A division bench comprising Justice P. Sam Koshy and Justice Alishetty Lakshmi Narayana dismissed about 35 petitions filed by private medical colleges against the university’s GST demand notice. The university had been directed by the GST authorities to collect and deposit the GST dues from July 2017 on affiliation and inspection fee paid by private institutions. The colleges said that certain categories of services provided by educational institutions were exempt from GST among which was collection of entrance fee and this would include the affiliation and inspection fee. The court after considering all aspects including judgments of other High Courts was not inclined to quash the university’s demand notice.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/281023/hc-rules-private-medical-colleges-must-pay-gst-on-affiliation-and-insp.html

TN forms panel to redeem universities from audit mess

TN forms panel to redeem universities from audit mess

The committee will investigate the irregularities and may waive the refunds previously sought, in eligible instances.

Express News Service

Updated on:

29 Feb 2024, 8:12 am

CHENNAI: To deal with the huge backlog of audit objections regarding funds in the 13 state universities, the government has formed a high-level committee headed by the principal secretary of the higher education department, to expeditiously clear the pending objections. Welcoming the move, officials from the universities said the will help effectively clear the objections and pave the way for receiving timely grants.

“Citing the audit objections, the state government has not been releasing funds to the universities due to which, the universities are struggling to manage expenses. If the audit objections are cleared, it will be a great relief for us,” said a senior official at a state university. A government order in this regard was issued on Tuesday.

The decision was taken after the universities complained to the higher education department that they were unable to resolve the objections at the regional level and that a state-level committee might be helpful in resolving the issues.

In the eight-member committee, the special director of local fund audit will act as the member secretary while the deputy director will be the special invitee. The assistant director, deputy secretary of the higher education department, registrar and finance officers of the universities concerned and representative of the principal secretary of the state finance department will be other members of the committee.

The committee will investigate the irregularities and may waive the refunds previously sought, in eligible instances. Similarly, it has to prescribe a methodology for settling the outstanding audit paras, especially pensioners, to explore the possibility of devising common policies, procedures and internal control mechanisms governing the key aspects of the functioning of universities.

The committee will monitor timely audit, submission of the annual accounts and audit reports and suggest to the vice chancellor and syndicate body to take appropriate action in case of serious irregularities. It will also recommend ways to recover losses from the staff concerned in case of irregularities. The panel will meet at least once every quarter.

Notably, in the 13 state universities, thousands of audit objections have been pending for several years due to which they are unable to get grants from the state government. Most of the local fund audit objections are related to salary discrepancy, promotion, and appointment. In some cases, the pensioners are not receiving retirement benefits due to the pending audit objections.

Secondary grade teachers’ stir enters 10th day, MIN urges them to resume work

Chennai : A total of 9,354 secondary grade teachers across the state have been participating in the strike called by the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers’ Association demanding equal pay, for the past 10 days. “The basic pay for teachers who were appointed before June 1, 2009, was Rs 8,370. It was Rs 5,200 for those who were appointed on or after that date. The pay gap is widening with every pay commission. The salary difference has now reached more than Rs 20,000. More than 20,000 teachers are adversely affected due to this,” an association member said. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Tuesday asked the teachers to return to work considering that students’ examinations are approaching. Minister said a three-member committee has been formed to look into the issues and provide suggestions. After that, issue will be taken to CM, he added.

Madras University staff strike work after IT Dept action blocks salary payments

Madras University staff strike work after IT Dept action blocks salary payments

Madras University has been unable to pay salaries to its staff after Government of India's Income Tax department froze over 50 bank accounts of the university.

Staff strike work after IT Dept freezes MU bank accountsMartin Louis - EPS
Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:
01 Mar 2024, 3:14 pm

Teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Madras staged a protest at the main gate of the varsity's Chepauk campus on Friday, condemning the state government for ignoring the plight of the university.

Over 800 employees of the university, from faculty members to housekeeping staff, participated in the protest.

Madras University has been unable to pay salaries to its staff after Government of India's Income Tax department froze over 50 bank accounts of the university.

The Income Tax department froze the account after demanding Rs 424 crore as dues dating as far back as 2017.

The notices were issued after the Income Tax Department reclassified Madras University as a private university, pointing out that it does not get at least 51% of its funding from the government.

The staff strike disrupted classes for the students. "We sat in the classrooms for three hours, waiting for our teachers, but none turned up," said S Sabari, a postgraduate student.

"We have locked the main gate of the university and are not allowing anybody to enter the campus. None of the staff is on duty today. We will continue this indefinite strike until the state government allocates funds to tide over the financial crisis caused due to the Income Tax department’s action," said a member of the joint action committee of teaching and non-teaching staff associations.

Meanwhile, in a circular issued on Thursday, the university registrar asked all the teaching and administrative staff to not indulge in any type of protest inside the campus.

The university administration had expressed hope that the bank accounts of the university frozen by the IT department would be unlocked by Friday noon, following which they would be able to pay salaries. However, the teachers say the university does not have money for salaries.

"The IT department has already deducted Rs 12.5 crore from the university account. Even if the accounts are defrozen, the university will have to break its corpus fund to pay salaries and we are against using the corpus. The government should immediately step in and release grants for salaries," said a faculty member of the university.

The teachers alleged that citing audit objections, the government has not been providing grants properly to the university since 2017. "While the audit objections are related to only 5% to 10% of the funds, the state government has reduced funding by almost 75%," said a professor.

Periyar University V-C allows Registrar to retire, ignoring govt. directive to suspend him

Periyar University V-C allows Registrar to retire, ignoring govt. directive to suspend him

February 29, 2024 07:41 pm | Updated 07:41 pm IST - Salem

M. SABARI

Registrar (full additional charge) K. Thangavel speaking at his farewell function at Periyar University on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Despite a directive from the Higher Education Department to Periyar University Vice-Chancellor R. Jagannathan to suspend Registrar (full additional charge) K. Thangavel on corruption charges, Mr. Thangavel was allowed to retire on Thursday.

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) said that by allowing Mr. Thangavel to retire, the V-C had challenged an elected government.

An inquiry committee constituted by the government to probe various allegations against Mr. Thangavel had confirmed seven charges, including misappropriate of funds. Consequently, on February 7, Higher Education Department Secretary A. Karthik directed the Vice-Chancellor to suspend Mr. Thangavel. He pointed out that Mr. Thangavel was due to retire on February 29.

However, Mr. Jagannathan wrote to the department seeking material evidence against Mr. Thangavel. On February 27, the Secretary sent a letter to the V-C with the material evidence enclosed, and instructed him to suspend Mr. Thangavel.

On Thursday, a farewell function was organised in the Computer Science Department for Mr. Thangavel, who was also head of the department.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the members of the Periyar University Employees’ Union (PUEU) and the Periyar University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) staged protests against the Vice-Chancellor for not acting against the Registrar. The university administration issued a memo to 33 persons who participated in the protests.

Periyar University Registrar (in-charge) P. Viswanathamurthi issued a memo to PUTA president V. Vaithianathan for participating in the protest, and sought a written explanation in five days.

AUT president M.S. Balamurugan condemned Mr. Jagannathan for his “continuous, utter indifference and apathy” towards directives from the government. He said that the V-C had posed an unlawful challenge to the State.

According to him, it also exposed the V-C’s “double standards” in “victimising” unpreferred teachers such as K. Premkumar, the general secretary of PUTA, “whose illegal and purposely protracted” suspension was nearing completion.

“The AUT urges the State government to immediately remove the V-C, as his challenge to the State should not be tolerated anymore,” Mr. Balamurugan said.

Mr. Jagannathan and Registrar (in-charge) Viswanathamurthi were not available for comment.

‘State’s doctor-patient ratio better than WHO recommendation’: NMC chairman

‘State’s doctor-patient ratio better than WHO recommendation’: NMC chairman

Dr BN Gangadhar further said that in the last 10 years, the National Medical Commission has aided in doubling the number of MBBS and PG courses.

Students celebrate their graduation ceremony during the 26th Annual Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science in Bengaluru on Tuesday (Photo | Allen Egenuse J)

Express News Service

Updated on:

28 Feb 2024, 8:00 am

BENGALURU: At least 50 per cent of the population will get national health insurance in the coming years and all the hospitals should use this opportunity to improve their services, said the Chairman of National Medical Commission (NMC), Dr BN Gangadhar, while speaking at the 26th Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), on Tuesday.

He added that Karnataka has reached the doctor to patient ratio of 2 : 1,000 which surpasses the WHO’s recommendation of one doctor per thousand population. “However this is not enough, as developed countries have a ratio of 3 : 1000 and our patients should not fall back on receiving optimum treatment. We need more human resource,” he said.

He further said that in the last 10 years NMC has aided in doubling the number of MBBS and PG courses. Speaking about integrative medicine, he said it will be the future of healthcare and the medical infrastructure is shifting towards it.

“Each college and each faculty member needs to introspect on improving research and patents in the medical field. 1.75 lakh people have entered the field this year and we have about 1.85 lakh faculty in the country. We ought to produce better research quality,” he added.

During the convocation Dr GK Venkatesh G, Dr Prakash Biradar, and Dr Pinki Bhatia Topiwala, were bestowed with honorary doctorates by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. Gehlot emphasised the significance of medical service and the Karnataka government’s efforts in aligning healthcare provisions with global standards.

Sharan Prakash Patil, Medical Education Minister said, “The government will continue to extend all necessary support to RGUHS in ensuring enhanced quality of Health Science Education...”

At the convocation ceremony, 88 candidates secure 100 Gold Medals. The ceremony saw 44,525 undergraduates, 7,815 postgraduates, 17 PHDs, 156 super specialty candidates, 122 fellowship candidates, 8 completed their certificate course, and 7 completed their post graduation diploma.