Bhubaneswar: After the State Cabinet decided to amend the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, reportedly to bring all varsities under one act, the Opposition BJP and Congress have cornered the State government stating the decision of promulgation as hasty, unnecessary and undemocratic. Alleging that the government is trying to transform the Universities with bureaucratic approach, the opposition has raised voice against such a ‘hasty move’.
Addressing a presser today, State BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan alleged that doing away with the concept of University Senate is a well-planned conspiracy of the State government. The BJP leader also stated that the State government is conspiring to take over University Management, recruitment as well as the selection of Vice-Chancellors.
"The ruling-BJD has declared to shut some 596 schools. Several colleges in Odisha have no lecturers. However, the government hasn't taken any step to address the issues. It is clear that the decision of such a reformation is a planned conspiracy by the government to control the entire management of Universities as per their whims and fancies," alleged Harichandan.
“Any reformation in law should focus on public interests and should be beneficial for everyone. Will the decision to amend OUA help the public or the education sector in any way? Will the decision benefit students and lecturers or will it strengthen the State government? With such an arbitrary move, the government is trying to take over the recruitment and management policy of Universities,” alleged BJP leader Pitambar Acharya.
Further, the BJP leaders questioned whether the State government has consulted anyone before coming up with such a decision. Stating the reformation of policies and laws related to higher education as Centre's business, BJP furthered its disapproval and of severe protest. The saffron party also levelled allegations that the Odisha government is trying to hamper the dignity of varsities.
"State government has planned to restructure the Syndicate by inducting 6 new members to the body which was earlier controlled as per autonomy. The selection procedure in universities is far better than OPSC selection. Stopping such a system is a conspiracy and we condemn such an act. We have launched our protest from Utkal University and this will reach every university across the state," said a Congress leader.
However, BJD leader Amar Satpathy said, "Government's core aim is to expand the education system and services to benefit all. We have considered several factors and consulted academicians before taking the decision. Giving a political angle to such a developmental decision is unwelcoming."
(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)
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