A college in Gujarat with room for cows

‘‘A team which went to inspect Shri T.S. Arts College, Kothamba, in Panchmahals has reported that the college does not meet the criteria needed for GU affiliation. Two inspections were conducted jointly by the GU and the state and it was found that the landlord has built a cow shed on the ground floor of the college building,’’ Higher Education Commissioner Rajiv Gupta said.

He said a state government probe shows grants were denied to the college as it failed to meet standards.

As per rules, there should be facilities for cultural and sports activities and separate rooms for principal and staff. But Kothamba college has none of these. Even the library exists only on paper, Gupta said.

GU sources say the college does not have enough staff. Even those who are there sign the muster and leave. Gupta said several college managements are reluctant to appoint the required staff till they get grants.

According to rules, if a college management successfully carries out academic activities for five years, it becomes eligible for state grants. But the college has to meet the stipulations of the university to which it is affiliated, Gupta said.

Patel said the Arts and Commerce College, Muval, Padra, Vadodara and the Shree B.K. Patel Arts and Smt. L.M. Patel Commerce College, Savlui, also in Vadodara, were found functioning from a school building. Besides, at Pipariya, officials found three colleges functioning from the same premises. These included Arts and Commerce College and Smt D.V. Bhaggat Science College. Patel said there was no question of grants to these colleges.