The phrase Achhe din aane wale hain seems to be apt for one of the prominent colleges of Uttarakhand — DAV (PG) College, Dehradun. In compliance with High Court’s order, this college will now enroll only 12, 400 students in various bachelor and post graduation courses in the academic session 2014-15. In the last year, following State Government’s intervention, admission in the college had reached to about 30, 000 students inspite of infrastructure constraints.
In compliance with the High Court’s order, the State Government has directed the DAV (PG) College principal to ensure that teaching staff sign the attendance register twice a day and remain in their respective departments for at least five hours daily. In addition to this, the principal has been directed to complete 180 days’ classes in the college in the academy year.
Talking to The Pioneer, DAV (PG) College Principal Dr Devendra Bhasin said that instructions have been given by the State Government and Vice Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University that the enrollment of students in various degree courses in the college should not exceed the sanctioned limit. He further said, "To implement the order, we have decided to install biometric equipment outside principal’s office, department of Mass Communication and Common Room. So far, two biometric equipment have been installed in the college. A team consisting of some senior teaching staff including principal will be formed to inspect the college and ensure teachers remain in their department for five hours daily. Monthly report on teacher attendance will be submitted to the higher education directorate periodically, he added. Moreover, the college management has recently approved Rs2.20 crore for the construction of 18 class rooms and tender process for this project is underway.
Bhasin expressed hope that the college will see good days in the near future as students will be enrolled as per the sanctioned strength and the college will be able to provide quality education to the enrolled students. It should be mentioned here that following college teacher’s pressure, decision on teachers remaining in their departments for at least five hours daily was withdrawn by the State Government in March this year. Sources revealed that High Court has directed the State Government to submit its plan for higher education in the coming academic session within three months.