Act fast on complaints or be barred: AICTE

In February, the All India Council for Technical Education had written to all institutes asking them to establish a mechanism for online registration of complaints and swift disposal of grievances of students, faculty and stakeholders among others.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has directed engineering and technical institutes to act swiftly on complaints filed by students, failing which they may be barred from operating.

From next academic year, the mechanism for an online registration as well as disposal of grievances will be made mandatory. (Representational Photo)

The performance of the institutes regarding grievance redressal mechanism will also be taken into account at the time of renewal of institutes every year.

In February this year, the AICTE had written to all the institutes asking them to establish a mechanism for online registration of complaints and swift disposal of grievances of students, faculty and stakeholders among others.

It also directed the institutes to mention names, contact numbers and e-mails of the members of the grievance committee on the college notice board to assure students help is at hand.

“As per the order, an online monthly status report regarding the number of grievances received, complaints disposed and pending as on the last day of the each month should be submitted to the AICTE,” minister of state (HRD) Mahendra Nath Pandey informed Lok Sabha.

From next academic year, the mechanism for an online registration as well as disposal of grievances will be made mandatory. The ministry-controlled AICTE regulates more than 10,000 technical colleges, including engineering and business schools.

The AICTE while granting approvals and accreditation will take into account performance of an institute in dealing with complaints.