Dharmendra Pradhan Urges Odisha CM to Rectify Discrepancies in Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act 2020

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to address discrepancies in the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020.

In a letter to Majhi, Pradhan stressed the need for amendments to align the Act with the existing legal and regulatory framework.

Pradhan highlighted that the amendments are crucial for restoring educators’ confidence, safeguarding the autonomy of educational institutions, and ensuring the state upholds high educational standards.

He criticised the former BJD government’s amendment of the original University of Odisha (Amendment) Act, 1989, for political motives, which resulted in significant legal conflicts with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.

The Union Minister pointed out that specific provisions in the 1989 amendment, particularly concerning the appointment of Vice Chancellors and educator recruitment, are inconsistent with UGC rules and violate Supreme Court directives. He warned that the amendment’s provisions grant excessive government control over educational institutions, threatening academic freedom.

Pradhan urged the CM to take immediate action to rectify these issues to ensure compliance with UGC regulations and protect the autonomy of educational institutions in Odisha.