Headless regulator leaves students at the mercy of private institutions

Palampur

The Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission, a statutory watchdog tasked with overseeing the functioning of private universities and colleges, has remained headless for the past two years. The tenure of its last chairman, Major General Atul Kaushik (retd), ended in August 2023, but the state government has failed to appoint a successor, leaving the crucial post vacant.

The commission plays a vital role in monitoring the operations of nearly 300 private institutions of higher learning in the state, which include 17 private universities and 16 engineering colleges. Its absence at the helm has created a vacuum that, according to stakeholders, has emboldened several institutions to deviate from established norms.

In recent years, complaints of student exploitation have been on the rise. Several institutions are reportedly flouting admission procedures, bypassing merit lists from national or state-level entrance tests. Equally concerning is the lack of redressal for students seeking refunds of fees and security deposits, which remain unattended in the absence of a functioning leadership.

The Regulatory Commission was constituted under the Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions (Regulatory Commission) Act, 2010, with the mandate to ensure proper standards in admissions, teaching, examinations and research. It was also envisioned as an interface between the state and central regulatory bodies, safeguarding both academic quality and student interests.

The commission is empowered to check whether institutions maintain qualified faculty and infrastructure in line with UGC and government guidelines. In cases of persistent violations, it can penalise institutions and even recommend closure to the state government. However, with no chairman to exercise these powers, enforcement has weakened considerably.

Educationists and parents alike argue that restoring the commission’s leadership is urgent to preserve quality education in Himachal’s private sector. With more than 300 institutions and thousands of students at stake, the delay in appointment threatens not just regulatory oversight but also the trust in the state’s higher education system. For the sake of accountability and academic integrity, the government must prioritise the appointment of a chairman without further delay.