State takes charge of 'fake' private varsity

JAIPUR: The higher education department of the state on Tuesday handed over the administration of Jodhpur National University (JNU), a private university, to the divisional commissioner of Jodhpur. This was done after reports highlighting the role of its chairman and others in selling over 30,000 fake degrees came to the fore. These degrees were sold to students and professionals since the university's inception.
The move came after investigative reports by Special Operations Group (SOG), departmental inquiry and Rajasthan High Court ordered inquiry against Kamal Mehta, JNU's chairman and proved his and administrators' involvement in the case, said a press release.
Kalicharan Saraf, higher education minister, said, "This has been done for the first time to ensure that students who are enrolled should study in a good environment." He added that JNU has violated the Rajasthan Private Universities Act under which it was established.
The move indicates that the existing administrative officers and staff can be implicated in the fake degree case which can affect the students' future. The order has authorized the divisional commissioner to take any decision looking at the welfare of students with immediate effect.
From now, the existing administrative staff like registrar, finance officer, admission cell, vice-chancellor etc will not able to use exercise their powers. Also all the decisions will be taken by the newly appointed officer.
It is also expected that the investigating agencies can soon reveal the names of those who had purchased degrees from this university. Sources said that they sold degrees not only in India but in other countries too. Officials have said that this should set an example for other private universities operating in the state.
Jaipur: State higher education department on Tuesday has handed over the administration of a private Jodhpur National University (JNU) to the divisional commissioner of Jodhpur following the investigative reports highlighting the role of its chairman and others behind selling over 30,000 fake degrees. These degrees were sold from students to professionals since its inception.
The move came after investigative reports by Special Operations Group, departmental inquiry and Rajasthan High Court ordered inquiry against the chairman of JNU Kamal Mehta proved his and administrators involvement in the case, says a press release. Government that the decision was taken considering the future of thousands of students who had enrolled in different courses in the varsity.
Kalicharan Saraf, state higher education minister, said, "This has been done for the first time to ensure that students enrolled studies in a good fair environment." He reasoned that JNU has violated the Rajasthan Private Universities act under which it was established.
State move indicates that the existing aministrative officers and staff can be implicated in the fake degree case which can effect the studies of students. The order has authorized the divisional commissioner to take any decision in the welfare of students with immediate effect.
From now, the existing administrative staff like registrar, finance officer, admission cell, vice chancellor etc will not able to use exercise their powers. Secondly, all the decisions to be taken by the newly appointed officer.
It is also expected that soon the investigating agencies can reveal the name of those who had purchased degrees from this university. Sources have told us that they sole degrees not only in India but also in many countries. Officials have remarked that this is an example for other private universities operating in the state.