Odisha Higher Education Department Issues Stern Warning to Sanskrit Colleges Over Faculty Negligence
The higher education department of Odisha has issued a strong warning to Sanskrit colleges across the state, threatening to withhold the salaries of faculty members and stop grant-in-aid for institutions found violating government regulations. This decisive action comes in response to alarming findings during recent surprise inspections that revealed significant lapses in academic discipline and administrative compliance.
Surprise Visits Uncover Disturbing Patterns of Neglect
The warning followed unexpected visits by Saroj Laxmi Singh, the regional director of education for the Bhubaneswar zone, to two government-aided Sanskrit colleges in Cuttack on Friday. During these inspections, officials discovered a troubling scene: not a single student was present in any classroom or elsewhere on campus during regular class hours at both institutions.
"Teaching and non-teaching staff were found sitting idle and browsing on their mobile phones," Singh reported. "Violating government rules further, principals and some staff members had not signed the attendance registers for the last three to four days."
Administrative Failures and Vague Excuses
When college principals were asked to produce essential records including biometric attendance data, teacher lesson plans, student attendance registers, and cash books, they failed to provide these documents on what officials described as "vague grounds." This lack of documentation and transparency was deemed completely unacceptable by the inspecting authorities.
In a directive issued to principals of all non-government aided Sanskrit colleges on Saturday, Singh announced that she and other officials from the directorate would conduct more surprise visits to all colleges in the future. The department has made it clear that any negligence discovered during these inspections will result in stringent action against both staff and administration.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
"Their salaries will be withheld and, subsequently, the grant-in-aid of the college will also be withheld under the Odisha Education Act, 1969," Singh emphasized. This represents a significant escalation in enforcement measures aimed at ensuring accountability in the state's higher education institutions.
The department mandates a strict seven-hour work rule for all teaching and non-teaching staff at colleges, including Sanskrit institutions. Principals of government, aided, and unaided colleges must ensure that staff members are present on campus from 10 am to 5 pm every working day and submit their biometric attendance records regularly.
Scope of Sanskrit Education in Odisha
Odisha currently has approximately 180 Sanskrit colleges with a combined seat strength of 9,212 students. All these institutions are affiliated with Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, which oversees the quality and standards of Sanskrit education across the state.
This crackdown represents a significant effort by the higher education department to address systemic issues in Sanskrit colleges and ensure that government resources are being utilized effectively for educational purposes. The department's actions signal a renewed commitment to academic discipline and administrative accountability in specialized higher education institutions throughout Odisha.
