SC raps UGC over physical verification of deemed universities

The Supreme Court today rapped the University Grant Commission (UGC) for going into "slumber" over conducting physical verification of infrastructure and faculty strength of deemed universities, which were black- listed by a Committee appointed by the Centre.
"Why are you moving on in a snail's pace," a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Vikramajit Sen observed when it was told that the UGC has not yet submitted the report on seven such universities to the Centre.
"UGC is not waking up. You are a statutory body but unfortunately you are not doing your statutory duty," the bench said and added that "there is a need for you to come out of the slumber".

The remarks were made when Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for UGC was trying to explain the circumstances for the delay by submitting that there was a need to modify the apex court order as the commission cannot go the way P N Tandon Committee made categorisation of the deemed universities like "A", "B" and "C" depending on the fulfilment of criteria.
The UGC said it can only do the inspection and after seeking response of such universities, place the report with the Centre which has to express its view before the apex court.
Taking note of the submission of UGC, Centre and other stakeholders, the bench asked the Commission to comply by its September 26, 2014 direction on seven such universities and Gurukul Kangra Vishwavidyalay within four weeks on phyisical verification.

It said in next one week, the Ministry of Human Resources Development will place its view in the apex court, which posted the matter for hearing on February 23.
The bench said the same order will be there for the rest of the 34 such universities whose physical verification has been conducted and have been found to meet the criteria of being termed as deemed universities.