NEW DELHI: The failure of the State Government to re-constitute the governing bodies of Delhi University's various colleges despite repeated extensions and reminders has badly affected the functioning of such institutions. Matters pertaining to study leave, extraordinary leave, applications of loans from Provident Fund and other related issues have been pending for a long time. There are 37 colleges under Delhi University whose governing bodies have to be re-constituted and the matter has been pending with the Delhi Government for the past few months. The tenure of the old governing bodies ended on December 9, 2005, but after an official notification their term was extended till March 31. However, despite an extended term, the new governing bodies have not been put in place due to various problems at the Delhi Government level.

It is learnt that the Government is in a fix over nominating MLAs as chairmen of the various governing bodies in view of the new development regarding holding office of profit. The Delhi Government is understood to have sought an opinion from the State Law Department on the issue and things are unlikely to be resolved soon.

But the failure to reconstitute these bodies has affected the working of various colleges badly. Matters pertaining to welfare of the college staff have been pending for the past one month as no decision can be taken on such issues in view of the absence of a proper governing body. "Everything has virtually come to a standstill in the colleges. Delhi University has sent several reminders to the Delhi Government on the issue but there is hardly any response or urgency on their part to put the house in order,'' a senior University official remarked.

However, there is more to it than meets the eye. It is learnt that the power struggle within the Delhi unit of the Congress party is one of the reasons for the delay in reconstitution of these bodies over the past three months. According to insiders, both Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma have submitted a list of nominees for these bodies. The lists have been under discussion and pending with the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi, Ashok Gehlot. It is due to the continued preoccupation of Mr. Gehlot that the matter has not been discussed and names finalised for the new governing bodies.

"There is a clear tussle going on within the Delhi Congress for having their own people nominated to the governing bodies. This has become a matter of prestige for both the camps and as a result nothing has been finalised. A decision on the issue is expected to be taken next week,'' said a senior leader.

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