By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Higher Education and Agriculture Minister and one of the most trusted political lieutenants of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Dr Arun Sahoo on Tuesday once again proved his political acuteness after the State Assembly passed the most controversial Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.The development came bringing relief to State Government after 4 days of discussion in House as the Bill was introduced in the House on September 29.
Opposing the amendments in the Bill, Congress Legislative Party leader Narasingha Mishra termed the bill as ‘draconian’ and the day as ‘Black Day. On the other hand, BJP members boycotted the discussion on the bill in the House . The opposition parties were protesting the bill alleging that the state Government is trying to destroy the autonomy of higher educational institutions in the state.
Minister Dr Arun Sahoo said the autonomy of universities will not be tampered. In states like Gujarat, Bihar, Punjab, Andra Pradesh and West Bengal, the Government interferes in VC selection process. But in Odisha, the selection process is impartial and the Governor apponits the VC.
As per the amendment in Odisha Universities Act 1989, Syndicate instead of the Senate will function as the highest authority in universities. The Constitution of Syndicate has been restructured. There will be an adequate representation of Chancellor as well as the State Government, including the reconstruction of the committee for the selection of Vice-Chancellors of the universities by including a nominee of State Government (Academician) in place of the member selected by Syndicate.
Under the new amendment, the tenure of Vice-Chancellors will be extended from three years to four years with the upper age limit of 67 from earlier 65 years. There will be no re-appointment of vice-chancellor of the same university for the second time.The recruitment of the teachers in universities will be done by the Odisha Public Service Commission and non-teaching staff will be recruited through State Selection Board.The annual audit report of the universities will be available on the university website for the last three years.
Few days back, a six member delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Odisha University Teachers had met Union PNG-Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and requested intervention in withdrawal of the controversial Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 which is being placed in the state Assembly for enactment. Soon after its release the Ordinance 2020 has been criticised as an encroachment of the autonomy of university system in the state.
JAC had called for a complete withdrawal of the Ordinance and appealed the state government to put a stop on hasty efforts for enacting this controversial legislation. It is apprehended that once enacted, the entire university ecosystem for educational excellence would collapse. Prof. Kunja Bihari Panda, Convener JAC, has called for a state-wide silent protest by university teachers on 5th October to register the mass dissent against the attack on the university autonomy in the state.
The Ordinance 2020 encourages further bureaucratisation of the university system and oversteps the university autonomy in the recruitment of faculty members. It recommends appointment of teachers through the OPSC. The claims of the government that there is precedence of appointment of university teachers through the PSCs in many states have been considered misleading and rejected by the members of the JAC.
Moreover, it is ridiculous to cite states like Bihar and Jharkhand as examples of governance when it comes to running universities. Similarly, the proposals for abolishing the Senate, interference in the appointment of the VCs and changes in the composition of the syndicate are considered as efforts to squeeze the autonomy of the universities in the state. Since the Ordinance floated by the Government of Odisha is in conflict with the UGC guidelines for University governance, the members of the JAC also apprehend that the enactment of the Ordinance may eventually result in withdrawal of UGC support to Odisha’s Universities and de-recognition of the degrees offered by the universities in the state.
Education comes under the Concurrent list of the Constitution of India. Any policy related to education must have a nod from both the state government and the central government. The hasty efforts of the state government to implement the new changes even before their enactment raise serious questions on the purpose of such changes.
After a thorough discussion, the Union Minister has assured that sincere efforts will be made by him to address the concerns of the teaching community. A tweet by him immediately after meeting the delegation of JAC also reiterated the concerns.JAC has called for a state wide silent protest by university teachers on 5th October against the Ordinance, informed Prof. Kunja Bihari Panda, Convener, JAC.
