UGC guidelines: Srinivas Goud extends support to DMK Students’ wing protest

Warns that guidelines were being prepared to increase the Central government’s control over State universities

Hyderabad: Former Minister and OBC Convener V Srinivas Goud said in the guise of University Grants Commission (UGC) draft guidelines, attempts are being made to commercialise education and usurp constitutional rights.

He extended support to the DMK Students’ wing protest against the UGC Draft Regulations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.

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The former Minister warned that guidelines were being prepared to increase the Central government’s control over State universities.

This apart, such moves would undermine the autonomous status, besides jeopardising the federal structure of the education system in the country, he said.

All India OBC Students’ Association (AIOBCSA) National president G Kiran Kumar and the former Minister addressed the students at the venue.

Measures should be initiated to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the members of the selection committees belong to the reserved quota for the posts.

This would make the recruitment process accountable and transparent, stressed Srinivas Goud. G Kiran Kumar said the draft rules, besides centralising power in the hands of Governors, were against the federal structure guaranteed by the Constitution.

Removing State governments’ rights to appoint Vice-Chancellors and empowering only the Governor to appoint V-Cs from a list prepared by a selection committee would undermine the autonomy of States, he added.