Delhi University instructs colleges on Governing Bodies

The Delhi University (DU) wrote to the heads of its 28 colleges and gave them instructions on the formation of Governing Bodies (GBs), the move which has been termed as "interference" by these institutions. The DU is at loggerheads with the Delhi government over the formation these governing bodies since September last year when the government withheld funds from the colleges after they failed to constitute GBs for more than 10 months.

In a letter sent to all these colleges on Tuesday, the assistant registrar wrote, "The university is in receipt of various representations regarding convening of the meeting of the Governing Body without giving reasonable time for holding such meeting to elect Chairperson and Treasurer of the Governing Body."

Stating that smooth functioning of the GBs was crucial for the overall administrative and academic development of the institution, the university said, "Since the Principal/ Officiating/Acting Principal/OSD is also the Member Secretary of the Governing Body of the College, therefore, he/she is hereby advised to undertake the following steps."

As per the university's recommendation, the colleges should first convene an introductory meeting of all the members of the newly-constituted GB and brief them about the functioning and vision of the college. Then formally announce the date of elections, seek nominations and finally hold elections.

However, college officials said that the university is "unnecessarily interfering" in their own procedures to hold elections. "This is the first time when the administration is interfering in each and every step of the formation of governing bodies," said a principal.

Earlier on Tuesday, Education Minister Manish Sisodia had written to V-C Tyagi alleging interference from the university in the election of the GB chairman funded by the government.