The two-year LLM course conducted by Dr B R Ambedkar Government Law College is likely to be stopped as the affiliating university had decided not to provide affiliation for the course from this academic year.
The LLM course is being conducted for the last 35 years in the college, which is affiliated to Pondicherry University. Currently, there are four disciplines of study under the course in the college with a total intake of 40 students (10 students in each discipline).
However, from this academic year, the university had decided to start one-year post-graduate course in law and the academic council had taken a decision not to affiliate similar course in any other college. This was communicated to Dr B R Ambedkar Government Law College authorities a couple of days ago, sources said.
Infact, the inspection team which came from the university for the five-year integrated LLB course as well as the three-year degree course had given it in writing that they would not be inspecting the college for LLM course.
The university told the college authorities that aspiring students can apply and sit for the entrance test to be conducted on all-India basis.
However, this move by the university has come as a shock for the students of Puducherry. Instead of getting an easy admission on the basis of marks secured in the LLB examination, they will have to compete at the national level to get a seat in the Central University.This would limit their chances of getting an admission.
The students would have to pay `50,000 as fee for two semesters as compared to present fee of `500 anually, said A Anand, final year student of BA LLB course in the college and secretary of Student Federation of India.
Opposing this move, the students submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor of the university. There was a discussion with the college authorities at the university on Tuesday in which the university had clarified that the course would not be affiliated, sources said.
In this backdrop, students on Wednesday resorted to a protest in front of the Legislative Assembly, urging the intervention of UT administration in this matter. Later, they held discussions with the CM in this regard.
Meanwhile, according to an official communication from Pondicherry University, the university had not taken any decision regarding disaffiliation of PG Programmes in the college.
The university maintains that the college lacks quality and is deficient in several aspects. From 2006 to 2012 several deficiencies were found in the college and it was pointed out by six inspection affiliation committees. The present inspection committee for affiliation for the academic year 2013-14 has also found out deficiencies, said the communique.
The matter has been referred to the college principal for rectification and the university had requested to submit the compliance report in this regard,but till date, the university has not received any reply. Based on compliance report the university has to take a decision, clarified the university.