Decision on autonomy for colleges rolled back

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 22

The state government has rolled back its decision to seek from the University Grants Commission (UGC) autonomy for eight government colleges.

Days after making its intention public and seeking proposals from the principals of the eight colleges, the government faced strong opposition from veteran educationists, students and teacher unions. They opined that the move would make higher education go further out of the reach of students from marginalised sections.

The move was aimed at upgrading Government College for Girls, Ludhiana; SCD Government College, Ludhiana; Government Mohindra College, Patiala; Government College for Girls, Patiala; SR Government College for Women, Amritsar; and government colleges at Mohali, Malerkotla and Hoshiarpur.

A representative of the Government Colleges Teachers Association said they had received a verbal communication in that regard. “It is yet to be seen if any official notification is released by the government or not,” he said.

Punjab Student Union state representative Baljit Dharmakot confirmed the development. “We are waiting for an official notification on the issue. Meanwhile, we have decided to postpone the strike to be held from August 27. The government move seems to be a pacifier ahead of the bypoll and panchayat elections,” he added.