New Delhi: The National Commission for Other Backward Classes (NCBC) visited Delhi University campus on 21 December to meet with students and faculty, after receiving several complaints from students and employees regarding unfairness in the staff roster system and lack of residential facilities for OBC students.
During the visit, the commission found some discrepancies, including in funds allocated to the university and the management of roster for teachers.
The commission found that despite being allocated funds for OBC students, only two hostels were built for them. According to a document provided by DU to the commission and accessed by ThePrint, between 2008-09 to 2013-14, the University departments (for PG studies) were given Rs 404.43 crore, of which Rs 135.65 core remained unutilised.
As for colleges, the grant provided between 2008-09 to 2013-14, amounted to Rs 779.37 crore of which Rs 1.32 crore along with interest remained unutilised.
During the visit, UGC Joint Secretaries — Dr G.S. Chauhan and Dr Jitendra Kumar Tripathi — questioned the University administration regarding the unspent funds and why these funds were not returned over the years. In response to the queries, DU issued a provisional document stating that it is in the process of building infrastructure worth Rs 265 crore.
According to the response document accessed by ThePrint, the University said it was in the process of spending the budget on three hostels and extension of various academic and administrative blocks across the North and South campus.
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Commission’s recommendations
The commission, in its recommendations, told Delhi University to absorb ad-hoc professors from SC, ST and OBC community who have been teaching for six years or more. “A special drive must be run in order to absorb the ad hoc professors of SC, ST, OBC etc. by running a special drive,” the NCBC said.
Replying to the commission’s recommendation, a DU official said, “It is difficult to absorb ad hoc professors and we will have to look into the legality of the process. The commission has also asked us to put the guest faculty on the roster.”
Some of the other recommendations included setting up of an OBC grievance cell in the university and colleges to ensure that the problems of students and professors are addressed; liaison officers in colleges be appointed on the basis of seniority to ensure transparency and fairness of process; and representation of the OBC community with a member in the governing council.
There should be a provision for representation for OBC, SC, ST, EWS in the committees formed at the level of academic council, executive council and at the University level, the NCBC said.
The commission also suggested that the problems of the OBC students who had been asked to pay extra for allotment of college should be addressed.
‘Will ensure fairness’
NCBC also asked DU to look into matters of violation of reservation rules and complaints of harassment, and colleges charging more fees from OBC students. The commission had received complaints from OBC students regarding the same.
An official from the commission told ThePrint, “During our visit we found the faculty roster of the Shradhanand College lacking and have asked the university to look into the matter. In addition, notices have been sent to Lakshmibai College, Daulat Ram and Bharti College to provide the commission with information on the roster of teaching faculty.”
The notice to Lakshmibai College, Daulat Ram and Bharti College was sent on 28 December.
NCBC chairperson Bhagwan Lal Shahni told ThePrint, “The commission will ensure that the problems of the OBC students and faculty are resolved. We are looking to ensure that there is fairness in the process of appointment of OBC faculty and admission of students. Strict action will be taken against those colleges which will be found in violation of the reservation rules.”
Meanwhile, a Delhi University official said, “We already have rosters prepared for all colleges. Whatever recommendations the commission has put forward, we will try our best to implement the ones feasible. We want to build hostels for OBC students but we don’t have the funds to do so. We have asked the committee for help in the matter.”
Also read: Only 9 OBC professors teaching in central universities across India against 313 quota posts
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