*Process for appointment of VCs, creation of posts yet to begin
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 22: The much-talked about Cluster Universities—one each at Jammu and Srinagar are unlikely to become functional from the forthcoming academic session because approval of the State Legislature to Jammu and Kashmir Cluster Universities Bill prepared by the Higher Education Department following Cabinet nod has been delayed due to uncertainty over the Government formation. Moreover, the process for appointment of Vice-Chancellors and creation of posts of different categories has yet not begun.
These two Cluster Universities were sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development during the financial year 2014-15 under centrally sponsored scheme—Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for addressing the critical gaps in the spatial distribution of higher educational institutions across the Jammu and Kashmir.
For both these Cluster Universities—one at Jammu with Government GGM Science College as the Lead College and another at Srinagar with Amar Singh College as the Lead College, the HRD Minister sanctioned an amount of Rs 36.60 crore for 2014-15 financial year out of total sanctioned outlay of Rs 110 crore. The concept underlining the Cluster University is to provide opportunity to more and more students to pursue various post-graduate, under-graduate and diploma courses in different streams and subjects through regular mode.
Since establishment of these Cluster Universities required amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Universities Act and enactment of new legislation, the Higher Education Department placed a formal memorandum before the State Cabinet on December 2, 2015 and after deliberations the highest decision making body accorded approval to the introduction of Kashmir and Jammu Cluster Universities Bill in the State Legislature for making the Cluster Universities functional.
However, following imposition of Governor’s Rule, the Session of the State Legislature could not be convened, which otherwise was scheduled to be held in the month of January this year. Uncertainty still looms large over convening of the Session of State Legislature because of indecision over the formulation of new Government.
“Without approval of Legislature to the Bill for establishment of Cluster Universities or promulgation of ordinance on the subject these Cluster Universities cannot formally become functional”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “on one side nothing can be said about holding of Session of State Legislature and on the other side no decision has yet been taken by the Higher Education Department about promulgation of ordinance”.
Moreover, no exercise has yet been initiated for appointment of Vice-Chancellors of these Cluster Universities, which is required to be conducted by a Search Committee duly constituted by the State Government, sources said, adding even no major headway has so far been made on creation of 124 posts of different categories required for smooth functioning of Cluster Universities.
“Keeping in view all these aspects, the Cluster Universities are unlikely to become functional from the forthcoming academic session, which generally starts from July in Jammu while as in Kashmir the same begins by the ending of February”, sources said.
When contacted, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sarita Chauhan confirmed that uncertainty looms large over functioning of Cluster Universities from the forthcoming academic session. “Although infrastructure is being created in Jammu as well as in Srinagar by utilizing the funds released by the HRD Ministry under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, much is required to be done for making the varsities functional”, she added.
Admitting that making Cluster Universities functional from forthcoming academic session is not possible, the Commissioner/ Secretary said, “appointment of Vice-Chancellors and creation and making selection for other posts are imperative steps to make these varsities functional and the same is going to take some time”, adding “more importantly Legislature approval is still pending”.
“I think we would be able to make these Cluster Universities functional from next academic session and not from forthcoming one”, she further said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Cluster Universities are being created by pooling the resources of five existing colleges that have adequate academic, physical and technical infrastructure facilities and would eventually become constituent colleges of the Cluster Universities. The Cluster University in Jammu will comprise of GGM Science College, Government MAM College, SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar and Government College of Education, Jammu.
Similarly, the Cluster University in Srinagar will comprise of A S College, S P College, Government Degree College Bemina, Government College for Women, MA Road and Government College of Education, Srinagar. These varsities will be administered by an establishment comprising of the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Financial Advisor, the Educational Advisor, the Registrar, the Controller of Examinations and their functioning would be governed by the Kashmir and Jammu Cluster Universities Act, which is yet to be enacted.
Due to establishment of these Cluster Universities, the existing State Universities will also be benefited by reduction in responsibilities of managing admissions and examination of students enrolled in these colleges. The manifold increase in intake capacity will enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education.
“Keeping in view the importance of these Cluster Universities and delay in formulation of Government, the Higher Education Department should approach the Governor for promulgation of ordinance so that all steps relating to functioning of Cluster Universities are initiated/ expedited”, sources said.
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