Amid protests by Congress members and absence of BJP members, the State Assembly on Tuesday passed the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 effecting many amendments to the Odisha Universities Act, 1989.
While the Bill was passed following four days’ of discussion, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra said the day was a Black Day for the State Assembly and the Bill would give a ‘Black Law’ to people of the State.BJP members boycotted the discussion as they sat on a dharna in the Well of the House, alleging they were ignored by the Speaker on many points.
However, Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo termed the Bill ‘historic’ and said claimed it would bring radical changes in the university education system.
The bill had been introduced in the House on September 29. While three hours had been set for discussion, members belonging to Opposition Congress and BJP members and the ruling BJD held discussion for six hours.
As per the amendments, the Senate was abolished and the Syndicate was restructured as the highest authority in universities. The Syndicates will have adequate representatives from the Chancellor (Governor) as well as the State Government.
The committee for the selection of Vice-Chancellors of the universities would include a nominee (academician) of the State Government in place a representative of the Syndicate.
The tenure of Vice-Chancellors would be extended from three years to four years with the upper age limit of 67 years.
There would be no re-appointment of a VC for the second time in the same university.The recruitment of the teachers would be done by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and nonteaching staffs by the State Selection Board (SSB).
The annual audit report of the universities would be available on the respected university website for three years.In his reply, the Minister said the autonomy of universities would not be interfered at all.
Stating that the State Governments of Gujarat, Bihar, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal interfere in VC selection, he said the selection process in Odisha is impartial and the Governor would continue appointing the VC.“Today is a historic day for the State,” said the Minister.