E-Paper
GBPSSI?s autonomy: Ball in AU EC court
MEMBERS OF Allahabad University (AU) Executive Council, the apex decision making body of the varsity, will consider whether to retain or do away with the autonomous character of Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute (GBPSSI) when they meet on Wednesday.
Varsity’s apex body meeting to be held today
MEMBERS OF Allahabad University (AU) Executive Council, the apex decision making body of the varsity, will consider whether to retain or do away with the autonomous character of Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute (GBPSSI) when they meet on Wednesday.
It may be recalled that GBPSSI officials began a strong “lobbying” to retain the autonomy of the institute under the new set-up in July 2006. At the moment, GBPSSI is a constituent Institute of the university.
In a letter to Dr TR Kem, member-secretary of University Grants Commission (UGC) and UGC Chairman Prof Sukhdeo Thorat, GBPSSI Director Prof RC Tripathi had requested the UGC to develop GBPSSI as an autonomous institute in a way that it remains a Constituent Institute of Allahabad University (AU) but also maintains its academic, financial and administrative autonomy.
The letter dated July 11, 2006 informs that the Institute was set up in 1980 as a registered society and has been an independent and autonomous ICSSR Institute since then. It recently has been incorporated as a Constituent Institute of University of Allahabad.
The letter points out that since its inception the institute has had a co-operative relationship with the University of Allahabad, with the VC being a member of its Board of Governors.
"This association has been formalised in a recent Central Act which made Allahabad University a Central University. While the Bill of the Central University was being considered our Board had requested the Ministry of HRD to preserve the autonomous character of the institute by funding it on a 100 per cent basis or to adopt it for 100 per cent funding directly as an autonomous institute. The ministry after due consideration decided to fund the institute through the UGC," the letter adds.
It further says that in the annual general meeting of the Board of Governors held on June 30, 2006 the Board considered ways for effecting a smooth transition from an autonomous research institute of the ICSSR to a fully funded Constituent Institute of the University of Allahabad.
"It was the Board's view that since the GBPSSI is an independent and autonomous research institute, recognised widely for its contribution to social science knowledge, it will be in the national interest to preserve its identity and maintain its autonomous character. The Board, therefore, resolved that UGC be requested to develop it as an Autonomous Institute," the letter adds.
Through the letter Prof Tripathi has informed that the Board was encouraged by the example of the Institute of Chemical Technology which is a UGC recognised autonomous Institute of the University of Mumbai.
"The board requests the UGC to consider developing GB Pant Social Science Institute as an Autonomous Institute of the UGC along similar lines," it further adds.
However, the UGC has now put the ball in the court of the AU Executive Council members. In a letter dated August 2006, UGC Joint Secretary Dr KP Singh has asked the AU Executive Council consider the issue of autonomy and thereafter to submit a well defined proposal in this regard to the UGC for consideration.
The matter has now been listed as item 22 on the Agenda of the AU EC's fourth meeting that is to take place on Wednesday.
