New Delhi: The University Grants Commission has sent another letter to Delhi University on Tuesday asking it to admit students to the 3-year course. Out of 64 colleges, 57 has sent reply agreeing to comply with UGC directives. The letter was sent even as the confusion prevailed over the resignation of Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh following the row with the UGC over four year undergraduate programme (FYUP). The Human Resource Development Ministry said that it has not received Singh’s resignation yet.
HRD ministry sources said if the resignation had gone directly to the President then they would have received a copy which they haven’t till now.
However, legal adviser to Dinesh Singh, Suraj Singh, said that Dinesh Singh has not resigned. He said, “I’m going to advise Dinesh Singh that autonomy of the Delhi University is to be preserved and the UGC directive is illegal. He has not resigned yet.”
The University Grants Commission had directed Singh to scrap the 4-year programme and revert to the 3-year undergraduate course but Singh refused to comply with the order.
Earlier in the day, HRD minister Smriti Irani summoned Pro Vice Chancellor of the Delhi University to hold talks about the future. HRD Ministry sources said that the process of selecting the new Vice Chancellor will begin soon. Sources added that the record of Dinesh Singh in managing finances of the university can be scrutinsed too despite the Delhi University being an autonomous body.
Sources said Dinesh Singh didn’t follow the due procedure in implementing the FYUP program. Sources added that the Vice Chancellor did not amend rules before initiating the four-year course and in the eyes of the HRD Ministry, the FYUP scheme was illegal.
Meanwhile, a member of the UGC, MM Ansari, backed Dinesh Singh and said that his resignation at this juncture was very unfortunate. Ansari said, “Resignation of VC at this juncture is very unfortunate. It’s going to harm the interest of the University and the students.”
He added that the government will face difficulty in appointing a new vice chancellor. he said, “This is unfortunate that a Vice Chancellor who attempted reform has been eased out. It was he who was to revise the programme and as he is no more there, it would be difficult for the government to appoint a new Vice Chancellor and revise the programme.”