Union Education Minister seeks revisions to Odisha University Amendment Act

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reached out to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi with a request to address discrepancies in the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020.

In his letter, Pradhan emphasized the need for amendments to align the Act with legal and regulatory standards, aiming to restore confidence among educators, protect institutional autonomy, and uphold high educational standards in the state.

Pradhan highlighted that the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 1989, enacted by the previous state government for political reasons, introduced significant modifications to the original Act. These changes, he noted, have led to conflicts with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and judicial directives, impacting the autonomy of educational institutions.

The Union Minister pointed out that certain provisions in the amended Act—particularly those concerning the selection of Chancellors and the recruitment of university educators—are at odds with UGC guidelines and Supreme Court rulings. He also expressed concern that the new Act's approach to forming the Syndicate, the university's top executive body, involves a large number of appointed members and government officials, causing anxiety within academic circles.

Pradhan warned that these changes could lead to excessive government control over educational institutions, potentially compromising the freedom of educators and undermining academic independence. He urged Chief Minister Majhi to take prompt action to address these issues and ensure that the law supports the autonomy and integrity of educational institutions.