Local Government tightens noose on staff with invalid degrees in Punjab

Chandigarh, June 15

Days after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced action against employees who have taken government jobs on fake degrees/documents, the state Local Government has swung into action against the staff who are alleged to have taken departmental promotions on the basis of unrecognised diploma/degrees.

The employees are working in the Engineering Wing, Town Planning and other departments in civic bodies on the basis of degrees/diplomas that are not recognised by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or University Grants Commission (UGC).

Such employees are being asked to appear before the competent authority regarding their diploma/degree.

In 2017, the Supreme Court in a writ petition had pointed out a degree/diploma in technical education through the distance education programme from a deemed university was not valid.

On the basis of the Supreme Court order, the department had in 2018 issued notice to nearly 20 employees asking them to appear before then Director, Local Government.

Sources said the category of employees who got departmental promotions on the basis of unrecognised diploma/degree was much bigger. Instead of asking the AICTE/UGC about the validity of diploma/degree, the department in the past has been asking the college/deemed university about the authenticity of the diploma/degree.

As per the practice, the AICTE and UGC are the government agencies that validate the authenticity of degrees/diplomas. — TNS

2017 SC order

• In 2017, the SC had pointed out a degree/diploma in technical education through distance education programme from a deemed university was not valid
• On the basis of order, the department had in 2018 issued notice to nearly 20 employees asking them to appear before then Director, Local Government