139 colleges get varsity affiliation in 2 hours flat!

The Nagpur University’s academic council granted affiliation to 139 new colleges on Monday. Only four proposals including one of an MPEd
college were rejected, university sources revealed to TOI. Additionally, 83 new courses were also granted permission to begin from this year while five colleges received permanent affiliation. With this, the total number of colleges affiliated to Nagpur University, has jumped from 610 to 749.

According to rules, the local enquiry committees (LEC) reports of new colleges and shortcomings pointed out in them must be discussed in detail by the council members. However, the procedure is ritually ignored each year. This year was no different. Sources added that most colleges belong to politicians and influential persons and therefore, no council member dares to raise doubts.

The recent CBI investigations into shortcomings of engineering colleges also failed to stir the university. CBI sleuths found that management of KDK College of Engineering was reportedly accommodating a school, a pharmacy college and also holding engineering classes in annexe building that was still under construction. After this, even LEC’s role came under the scanner as to how it had given a go ahead to the said college.

The story may be even more awful in the colleges offering general courses, especially in the rural areas. Surprisingly, the CBI’s verification checks found mention in the meeting with the members deciding to thoroughly verify whether the new professional colleges were strictly following norms set by AICTE and NCTE before granting affiliation.

Sources informed that during the meeting, pro-vice chancellor GS Parasher had requested the members not to grant affiliation to the new colleges without ensuring that they had appointed full-time, regular teachers.