Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 13: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to address discrepancies in the Odisha University (Amendment) Act 2020 to align it with legal and regulatory standards.
In a formal letter, Pradhan requested the Chief Minister to amend the Act to restore trust among educators, protect the autonomy of educational institutions, and uphold high educational standards.
Pradhan highlighted that the amendments made by the previous BJD government to the University of Odisha (Amendment) Act, 1989 were politically motivated and introduced significant changes that conflicted with the UGC Act and Commission rules. These modifications compromised the interests and autonomy of educational institutions.
The amendments concerning the appointment of Vice Chancellors and recruitment of university educators are said to be inconsistent with UGC regulations and disregarded Supreme Court directives. Pradhan emphasized that the amendments grant excessive government control over educational institutions, potentially undermining teachers’ freedom. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene to rectify these issues.
