The Delhi government has formed a five-member committee to evaluate the functioning of self-financing colleges affiliated with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). This decision comes in response to persistent complaints regarding admission delays and alleged irregularities.
Committee Formation and Objectives
According to an order issued on April 27 by the Directorate of Higher Education, the committee will scrutinize the admission and affiliation framework for these colleges. Its primary goal is to recommend changes that enhance transparency, streamline processes, and make the system more student-friendly.
Review of Previous Recommendations
The panel has been tasked with reviewing the recommendations of the Narayanswami Committee in the context of the 2016 policy guidelines. It will propose reforms in affiliation, admissions, and related regulatory procedures to align with the National Education Policy 2020 and the evolving demands of higher education.
Committee Members
The committee is chaired by retired IAS officer U.R. Kapoor. Members include Professor Payal Mago, director of Delhi University's School of Open Learning; Manmeet Singh Walia, joint secretary (law, justice and legislative affairs) of the Delhi government; and Brigadier Pradeep Kumar Upmanyu (retired), former joint registrar. The director of training and technical education/higher education will serve as the convener.
Background of Complaints
The formation of this committee follows a review of GGSIPU's admission processes by the Delhi government's admission regulatory committee last year. At least 90 complaints were addressed, including allegations of missing merit lists, demands for donations, delays in fee refunds, and issues related to reservation and seat conversion.
Fee Refund Delays
In one notable case, the regulatory committee criticized the university for delays in fee refunds, noting that nearly Rs 50 crore was pending. The university later informed the panel that refunds had been processed for approximately 7,500 students.
This initiative aims to address systemic issues and ensure a fair and efficient admission process for students seeking higher education through GGSIPU-affiliated self-financing colleges.
