Put off pleas seeking deemed varsity tag,EC tells UGC

The Election Commission is learnt to have shot off a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC),asking it not to take any action on universities....

The Election Commission is learnt to have shot off a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC),asking it not to take any action on universities seeking deemed status or sanction any fresh applications in this regard as long as the model code of conduct is in force.

The UGC that had scheduled a commission meeting on Tuesday was learnt to have on its agenda several proposals seeking the deemed university status to various institutes. UGC chairman S K Thorat refused to comment on the issue.

Following the receipt of the EC letter,the Commission had to finally put the proposals off its agenda. Several applications,which are seeking the deemed university status,were to be taken up at the UGC meeting. However,with the EC directions to be followed through the model code of conduct period,the applications have been put off, a senior official said.

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The Commission,meanwhile,is said to have constituted committees to begin inspection of institutes that have sought a deemed university status so they can process them as soon as the Lok Sabha polls end.

The UGC,incidentally,is also expected to come out with more stringent regulations for according the deemed university status. Notably,the UPA government is said to have been generous; in according deemed status to universities. The Prof Yash Pal led Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education,a committee set up the UGC itself,points out the alarming rise in institutes being given the deemed varsity status. It has,in fact,recommended that the system be scrapped and existing deemed university status holders be made to prove their credentials within three years.

Between 2000 and 2005,26 private-sponsored institutions got the deemed university status. Since 2005,the number of private deemed universities has increased to 108. By a notification of the UGC,it is no longer necessary for them to use deemed and they all call themselves simply universities, the panel has said in its report.