Sunday, Jan 24, 2010
Welcomes move to de-recognise some of them

• "Many deemed varsities operated like 'petty shops' in opening extension centres"
• "State government will ensure students are not affected in any manner"

Chennai: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy on Saturday welcomed the Union Human Resource Development Ministry's move to suggest de-recognition of a few deemed universities (DUs) and called for abolition of the system.

Saying many deemed universities operated like "petty shops" in opening extension centres in other States and countries, Mr. Ponmudy said HRD Minister Kapil Sibal's move was a necessary step. But, to avoid confusion from certain quarters on retaining some DUs alone, he called for a more thorough reform of abolishing the system of DUs altogether.

Presenting the State government's view for the first time since the controversy erupted this week, Mr. Ponmudy said the Chief Minister had written to Mr. Sibal in June 2009, suggesting that the powers of the State government and the existing universities be protected.

DUs had not implemented reservation policies or given admission through the single-window system. They had ignored minimum marks requirements and disregarded the State government's directions on these matters.

Now that they were faced with problems, they were turning to the State government for help.

Commenting on the system of appointing unqualified persons as Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors, Mr. Ponmudy said this showed the way the system had degenerated. He called upon the DUs to accept State government norms and function as self-financing colleges, thereby protecting the future of students and earning the goodwill of people.

The Minister reiterated that the State government would ensure the students were not affected in any manner. Those who were in recognised courses could be absorbed into existing universities. A mechanism would have to be evolved for coping with those doing unrecognised courses. In reply to a question, he said the State was not planning to implead itself in the Supreme Court case but would offer its opinion if asked.