Authorities of Jharkhand State Universities have welcomed University Grants Commission (UGC) notification to introduce ‘Anti-Corruption as a subject’ in all universities.
In order to combat corruption in every form, the prestigious commission under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development has recently issued a letter to Vice- Chancellors of all the universities on considering inclusion of this course in the curriculum of relevant subjects like law, Public Administration or Human Rights (mentions the UGC website).
Sources at State Universities maintained that the letter has been issued by post so they are yet to get a direct-instruction from the UGC’s side. “Eradicating corruption has always been a difficult task for an authority, especially in Jharkhand known for corruption and scams. Instead of introducing this subject at the university level, the Government could have thought of beginning it in the schools also since it is easy to motivate school goers on the suggestions of anti-corruption,” Vinoba Bhave University Vice- Chancellor Gurdeep Singh said.
Ranchi University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Pro-VC) M Raziuddin felt the unique subject will help the youngsters in understanding the minute defects of corruption easily.
He said, “According to my knowledge it is to be linked with subjects like law and Public Administration so the students planning a career in such streams get an opportunity to learn the implications of this subject in professional life.”
However, Kolhan University Pro-VC Shukla Mahanty urged for involving this course in Political Science instead of law, Public Administration or Human Rights.
“In India, Corruption and Politics are totally connected with each other. Observing this bond, UGC should permit the universities to introduce this subject only with Political Science. The chapters of both these subjects are some or the other way similar,” she said.
Nilamber Pitamber University Registrar Amar Singh focused on the corruption-free society in future if the importance of this subject is understood by the students.
“Today, all of us are victims of corruption. In fact, it has jeopardised the society. With the help of this subject, students will learn to curb the circumstances that lead to corruption,” Singh said.