Universities (Amendment) Act: Orissa HC Issues Notice To Centre, State Govt, UGC

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has issued notices to the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Centre and Odisha government to file response in connection with a writ petition filed against the constitutional validity of the amendment to Odisha Universities Act 1989.

The petition, filed by Prof Ajit Kumar Mohanty on December 8, stated that the Act is an attempt by the state government to curb the freedom of the universities. It is also against the National Education Policy (NEP) and violates the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, he said.

The government approved the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 to amend the Act in September 2020. Later, the Odisha Assembly passed the Bill. The main purpose of amending the Act is to bring all universities under one Act, the government claimed.

But the opposition parties have been demanding roll-back of the amendment alleging that the government was trying to deprive the universities of their autonomous status.

The high court has scheduled next hearing of the case on January 11, 2021.

Also Read: Petition Filed In Orissa High Court Challenging Universities (Amendment) Act