Union Education Minister Seeks Changes In Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act Introduced By BJD Govt

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi requesting him to rectify discrepancies in the Odisha University (Amendment) Act 2020 as per the legal and regulatory framework and make necessary amendments.

Dharmendra stated that this amendment was important to restore confidence among educators, safeguard autonomy of educational institutions and ensure that the state maintains the highest standards of education.

The Union Minister mentioned the then state government had enacted the University of Odisha (Amendment) Act, 1989 for political reasons, which brought about extensive changes in the original Act, 1989. This change in the law was not only creating conflict in provisions of UGC Act and rules laid down by Commission but also undermining interests of the educational institutions and their autonomy.

The specific provisions contained in the Universities (Amendment) Act regarding selection of Chancellors, recruitment of educators in universities are not only inconsistent with these regulations of UGC but ignore judicial directives laid down by the Supreme Court, stated Dharmendra.

According to the amended law, formation of the Syndicate, the highest executive body of an university, will involve a large number of selected members of the Chancellor and government officials, which has created anxiety in the academic circles, the Union Minister’s letter further noted.

“This amendment would exert excess government control over educational institutions, which would undermine the freedom of teachers. Similarly, there is concern within the educational community that the law may undermine their ability to act independently and maintain academic integrity,” said Dharmendra seeking CM Majhi’s urgent intervention in the matter.