DU council forms panel to probe complaints on lapses at 12 colleges

New Delhi: The Executive Council of Delhi University noted with “concern” the allegations raised by education minister Atishi about alleged irregularities and procedural lapses in the functioning of 12 colleges funded by Delhi government. Stating that there was no question of de-affiliation of the colleges, DU constituted a committee on Friday to investigate the issues raised by the minister.The EC also approved the dual degree programme at its meeting on Friday and cleared the granting of 12.7 acres to develop the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute into a multispecialty hospital.On December 1, Atishi wrote to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleging serious lacunae in the functioning of 12 colleges funded by the state government. She demanded that the central government either hand over full control of the 12 colleges to Delhi government or the Centre take over the funding. The minister’s letter outlined a range of irregularities and procedural lapses, amounting to financial mismanagement running into hundreds of crores of public money.“The EC observed that the 12 colleges were constituent colleges of DU, hence the question of de-affiliation did not arise. Further, the EC strongly objected to the diktat that the funds should not be released to these 12 colleges from the next financial year,” said registrar Vikas Gupta.The committee constituted by the EC will have 10 members headed by Shri Prakash Singh, director, South Campus.Elected EC members, however, opined that instead of constituting a committee, DU could have initiated the process of forming governing bodies in these colleges. “The minister wrote the letter because these colleges have been functioning without a full GB. The university could just have initiated the process of forming GBs instead of constituting a committee,” said EC member Rajpal Singh.Delhi government responded with a statement, saying, “We are happy such a committee has been formed. We are awaiting a decision from Delhi University and the government of India regarding these 12 colleges. Given the extent of irregularities, Delhi government can only continue funding them if they become a part of one of Delhi’s state universities. If they continue to be a part of Delhi University, then the state government will not be able to fund them from the next financial year.”As for the Patel Chest Institute, vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh said, “The expansion and upgradation of the institute will go a long way in providing quality diagnostic and research facilities for pulmonary diseases.” With the passing of the dual degree programme, students can now do one course in the regular mode and another through distance education. Additionally, the EC also accepted the recommendations of the Academic Council on promotion guidelines for teachers.