GBs boycott meet, say Centre is 'interfering' in functioning

The chairpersons of Governing Bodies (GBs) of several Delhi government-funded colleges at the Delhi University (DU) boycotted the meeting called by the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry on Tuesday citing that the Centre has been trying to "interfere" in their functioning.

The meeting was called to discuss issues, including the selection process of principals in several DU colleges and the constitution of GBs in the Delhi government-funded colleges. "We boycotted the meeting as the ministry has no right to interfere in the functioning of the colleges. They can't make suggestions on the appointment of appointments," said GB chairperson of one of the college.

Officials at the 28 Delhi government funded colleges have been alleging that the university administration was interfering in the constitution of the GBs. The administration also wrote to the college heads advising them on 'how to hold the elections'. Afterward, Education Minister Manish Sisodia also wrote to the DU V-C asking him to stop interfering in the constitution of these bodies.

Later in the day, representatives of the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), who also held a protest march to the ministry over several issues, met the officials at the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and raised concerns over the UGC March 5 notification on reservation policy of teachers' appointment. "When we showed him data of the recently advertised posts by several Central universities, in which reserved posts had drastically reduced as a result of March 5 notification, the minister said that he was unaware of it and would look into the matter," said DUTA president, Rajib Ray.

The delegation also raised concerns over the revision of pension and allowances. "The minister has given assurance that he will meet the DUTA again," Ray said.

Officials Allege

• Officials at the 28 Delhi government funded colleges have been alleging that the university administration was interfering in the constitution of the GBs. 
• The administration also wrote to the college heads advising them on ‘how to hold the elections’. Afterward, Education Minister Manish Sisodia also wrote to the DU V-C asking him to stop interfering.