The Hindu : New Delhi News : Justify action against 44 deemed varsities: Court

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Justify action against 44 deemed varsities: Court

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed the Supreme Court that its recommendation was necessary for the government to take a decision one way or the other in the matter of recognition or de-recognition of a deemed university.

Senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the UGC, made this submission when the Bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma wanted to know whether the Centre could act independently to de-recognise a deemed university without the UGC's recommendation.

Mr. Dwivedi said though the UGC's recommendation was not binding on the government in matters related to the status of a university, such a report was necessary for taking a decision. He said the Centre could seek reports from other independent sources and take a decision on a variety of situations.

The Bench is hearing the validity of the Tandon Committee, constituted by the Human Resource Development Ministry, and the report submitted by it recommending de-recognition of 44 deemed universities in the country.

Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam, appearing for the Centre, justified the report and the classification of the deemed universities into three categories and said the government had accepted in principle the report. He said opportunity would be given to each of the 44 deemed universities facing the threat of de-recognition.

Even as Mr. Dwivedi urged the court not to take note of the Tandon committee report till its validity was decided, Justice Bhandari said: “We understand that all the 44 deemed universities cannot be put under one bag. It is a mixed bag and all deemed universities cannot be painted with the same brush. There are some good institutions and some don't deserve deemed universities status.”

Mr. Dwivedi asserted the deemed varsity status could be withdrawn only on the recommendations of the UGC and in accordance with statutory regulations. The right conferred on these universities could not be restricted by executive directions issued on the whims and fancy of the government. However, the Solicitor-General maintained that there was no question of giving up the Tandon committee report and that it could not be discounted.

In view of this stand, the Bench asked the Centre to file its rejoinder supported by documents justifying Tandon Committee's recommendations to de-recognise these deemed universities in four weeks, and reply in two weeks thereafter.

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