Arjun pulls back UGC varsity code

The controversial draft University Model Code was withdrawn by HRD Minister Arjun Singh today. Two years ago, the UGC had circulated copies of the draft code to academic bodies and higher educational institutions, suggesting a single framework whereby all universities could have a similar Act. The new government had questioned the draft code soon after taking charge.

The model code was ripped apart by academics who complained that through the code, the government was introducing the idea of universities raising revenue on their own through the back door. Of course, this 8216;8216;raise your own revenue8217;8217; is the only aspect of the code that bureaucrats in Arjun Singh8217;s Ministry would have preferred to retain.

Another reason why the code had to go was because it advocated a greater role for politicians. In a clause, the code had laid down that the Chancellor or the Visitor of Universities would act in accordance with the Council of Ministers.

The academics thought it was an effort to blatantly promote ministerial intervention. The government today said the decision to dump the code was taken out of sheer 8216;8216;respect for autonomy8217;8217; of these higher learning centres.