HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has launched a comprehensive inspection of private universities in the state as part of its exercise to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court in a case related to the functioning of private universities.
The inspections will focus on the objectives behind establishing the universities, the qualifications of faculty, admission and entrance examination procedures, governance, financial practices and regulatory compliance.
The apex court had directed all state governments, including Telangana, to submit affidavits in the Ayesha Jain vs Union of India case.
According to an official release issued on Sunday, the state government has constituted a committee headed by the commissioner of Collegiate Education (CCE) to conduct the inspections. The secretary of the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) is the convener, while the registrar of JNTU Hyderabad is the member-convener. The committee is examining nine broad aspects identified by the apex court.
The Supreme Court has sought details on the objectives behind establishing private universities and whether feasibility studies were conducted before they were set up. It has also asked whether the state government allotted land or extended other benefits to these institutions and, if so, whether any conditions were imposed.
The court has further sought information on the composition of the governing bodies, the process adopted for selecting members, admission and entrance examination policies, and whether these conform to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.
In addition, the apex court has asked whether the state government periodically inspects private universities, whether any violations have been detected during such inspections and, if so, what action has been taken.
The affidavit will also cover whether universities established on a “no-profit, no-loss” basis have adhered to that principle, whether there has been any diversion of funds, whether the assets of their promoters have been examined, and whether an effective grievance redressal mechanism is in place.
