The government has decided to accord autonomy status to government and aided colleges in the state subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria. “The government has started the process of granting autonomy to colleges based on the recommendations of the N R Madhava Menon Committee,’’ Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb said here on Friday. The Minister said that academic autonomy would be granted only to those colleges which fulfilled the eligibility criteria set by the government. The government has tasked the Director of Collegiate Education to select two government colleges for granting autonomy in the first phase, Rabb said in a news release. Aided colleges will also be given autonomy based on fulfillment of eligibility criteria. However, the financial burden will have to be borne by the private managements. “Those colleges which get autonomy should sign a contract with the govt that they would follow the govt’s reservation policy and other admission rules,’’ Rabb said adding that the terms of service and pay of teachers would remain unchanged. There will not be any change in the terms and conditions of an earlier deal between the government and the managements regarding ‘Direct Payment,’ he said. Rabb said autonomy would be granted to colleges during this academic year itself and that colleges would be able to get the recognition of the UGC during the same year. The government expects classes in autonomous colleges to begin in the 2014- 15 academic year, he said. Colleges which are desirous of getting autonomy should apply before October 3. For more details, contact the following websites: www.kerala.gov.in and www.highereducationkerala. gov.in