Universities must follow UGC order on appointments: UP Guv

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today said that if appointments were being made in the state's universities despite being put on hold by the UGC, then the matter will be probed.

Interacting with the media on the completion of his four years in office, Naik said the Universities Grants Commission (UGC) had recently asked all universities to put the appointment process of teachers on hold.

"When there is a guideline of UGC, it should be adhered to. But, if appointments are being made... It should be stopped. This is my order as well," Naik, who is also the Chancellor of state's universities said.

"If the appointment process is continuing in any university, I will gather information through a probe," added Naik.

On July 19, the appointment of academic staff in higher education institutions (HEIs) was put on hold by the UGC till the Supreme Court issues its verdict on the special leave petition filed by the HRD Ministry against a court order curtailing reservation for SC/ST and OBCs.

The UGC had announced in March that an individual department should be considered as the base unit to calculate the number of teaching posts to be reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates following an order by the Allahabad High Court in April last year, which was upheld by the SC.

On the recent violence, which took place on the campus of Lucknow University, the UP Governor said, "The High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and the matter is in court, and hence I do not want to comment on this."