JAMMU: Despite the formation of an elected government in J&K Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor and Vice-Chancellors continue to act as Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of Cluster Universities. This fluid situation apart from undermining the authority of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reportedly has adverse affect on the functioning of both Cluster University of Srinagar(CLUS) as well as Cluster University of Jammu(CLUJ), where decisions on important matters are being taken without the approval of the Chief Minister and Education Minister, Higher Education.
Many in corridors of power attribute this prolonged confusion due to the lackadaisical approach of concerned Registrars in initiating necessary exercise for making amendments in the Srinagar and Jammu Cluster Universities Act 2016 for incorporating the CM as Chancellor. If ignorance is not a bliss then this exercise need to be completed immediately after formation of government in the month of October, says a highly placed sources.
Both CLUS and CLUJ are non autonomous institutions and draw their operative powers from the Srinagar and Jammu Cluster Universities Act 2016, which states that the CM and Education Minister, Higher Education, are Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of Cluster Univarsities.
However, in the absence of an elected government followed by the transition of J&K state into a UT, the statutes in the Act were amended to incorporate the LG as Chancellor of Cluster Univarsities in J&K UT. Interestingly, neither CLUS nor CLUJ has so far ratified these amendments in the Syndicate meeting.
Sources close to the office of the CM secretariat said Cluster Universities in J&K are non autonomous institutes created by pooling resources of Government Degree Colleges (GDC), and thus the CM and Education Minister hold full control over their functioning.
Post-formation of the political government in J&K UT, propriety demands that the Registrar of both CLUS and CLUJ maintain status quo on all important matters until the confusion surrounding who among LG and CM hold the command of Chancellor in Cluster Universities settle down.
Worthwhile to mention here that recently, the LG in the capacity as Chancellor has accorded extension in services to VCs’ of two autonomous University in J&K UT, reportedly without consultation with the CM who is also Pro Chancellor of five autonomous Universities in the J&K UT.
Not only this, even the CLUS has held its 6th Academic Council meet on Dec 18th, 2024 without inviting Education Minister, who as per Act is Pro-Chancellor of both the non -autonomous Cluster Universities in J&K.
Terming this development as grim, reliable sources in the Higher Education Department said, “Both the Cluster Universities, especially Jammu, over the years have become a campus of favoritism, nepotism, and a parking place for influential teachers and officials.”
Worst, the focus is now shifted to construction activities without realizing the fact that the aim and objectives behind the creation of Cluster Universities was to strengthen skill-based education by pooling resources of five Government Degree Colleges each from Srinagar and Jammu operating within a five-kilometer radius, added a Professor of History posted in GCW, Parade. Due to undesired mega construction bonanza, the the quality academics has taken a back seat in CLUJ, alleged an insider.
Responding to our queries, Ankur Mahajan, Registrar CLUJ, in a bid to avoid the situation, has assured to come with clarification on Friday only after checking the records.
Whereas, Syed Willayat Hussain Rizvi, Registrar, CLUS, asserted that the amendment in statutes pertaining to the replacement of CM with LG was made during the President’s rule in J&K, which will be reversed in the same manner with the formation of an elected government in J&K. When further probed as to who will make these amendments, he replied, “The picture will emerge clear once the process of drafting business rules finalised by the government.”