22 of 74 DU colleges functioning without permanent principal

As many as 22 out of 74 colleges in the University of Delhi are functioning without a permanent principal, irking the varsity's Teachers' Association which has been demanding streamlining of the appointment process.

The colleges operating without a permanent principal include prestigious institutions such as Hindu College, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Kirori Mal College (KMC) and Kamala Nehru College, which are either being supervised by an acting principal or an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

According to official sources at Hindu College, the post of principal had been vacant for the past few years, and it is currently held by an officiating principal.

He added that the last permanent principal held the post till 2008.

Other colleges that are running under a temporary arrangement include Rajdhani College, Gargi College, Institute of Home Economics, Deshbandhu College, Bharti College, Aurobindo College and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College among others.

"There are so many posts lying vacant in the University. The process of appointments has been completely halted. We have raised the issue many times; some of the colleges do not have adequate faculty and permanent principal for years. Around 4,000 posts for teachers have also been lying vacant," C S Rawat, vice-president, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) said.

"According to DU ordinance, appointment of OSD is only for a period of six months as it is a temporary arrangement.

Further permission from the Vice-Chancellor is needed if there has to be an extension of that period. How these colleges are running with OSDs or acting principals for years is a matter of concern," Rawat added.

He also alleged that the recruitment process has been put on halt in the last few years and, thereafter, it has created almost a crisis-like situation.

"Appointing an officiating principal and OSD to run colleges has shown the monopoly of the Ministry," Rawat said.

An official of the University said that the process of appointment of principals has been set in motion and the delay has been caused due to the "transition", following retirement of Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh.

"The Ministry had directed all appointments to be stopped after July 31 last year, three months before Dinesh Singh's tenure was to end as Vice-Chancellor. He demitted office in October and the new V-C took charge last month," said Rawat.

"The transition had halted the process of appointments which has been resumed now. Positions have been advertised, interviews will be conducted soon," he added. But nothing seems to be happening on the ground

.

However, Devesh Kumar Sinha, Dean of Colleges, DU said, "Advertisement for 900 vacancies have been released and the process for recruitment has been commenced, subsequently, soon teachers vacancies will be filled."

Prof Sinha also added that recently, the principal for SRCC has been shortlisted and soon the principal will take charge. Recruitment for principals for other colleges, being run by officiating principals, is underway, he said.