Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Feb 9 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday categorically clarified in the that there is no proposal whatsoever under consideration to affiliate, merge, or shift administrative or asset control of historic colleges of Srinagar and Jammu to the Cluster Universities.
The clarification came in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, tabled in the House by Minister for Higher Education Sakina Itoo as per news agency JKNS, The Minister informed the House that the Cluster Universities of Srinagar and Jammu were established under the Srinagar and Jammu Cluster Universities Act, 2016, in line with the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), which primarily aims at clustering resource-deficient and peripheral colleges, and not long-established premier government institutions.
However, she acknowledged that historic and high-performing colleges including SP College, Women’s College M.A. Road, Amar Singh College, MAM College, GGM Science College and SPMR College of Commerce were placed under the Cluster Universities framework.
Addressing concerns over autonomy, the Minister made it clear that the administrative control of both teaching and non-teaching staff of all constituent colleges continues to vest with the Higher Education Department, and has not been transferred to the Cluster Universities.
She further informed the Assembly that both Cluster Universities have been allotted land for construction of their own independent campuses, and that independent postgraduate schools with separate faculty have already been developed, underscoring that Cluster Universities are being expanded without disturbing existing colleges.
Replying to whether colleges were allowed to remain under direct government control with the understanding that Cluster Universities would develop independent campuses, the Minister replied, stating that land has already been allotted for university campuses and establishment.
Most importantly, responding to a direct query on whether the government is taking steps to affiliate, merge or shift administrative control or physical assets of historic colleges to the Cluster Universities, the Minister said, “At present, there is no such proposal under the consideration of the Government.”
On a related question regarding whether such a move could dilute the historic identity, academic autonomy, governance structure and alumni-driven legacy of these institutions, the Minister stated that the question was “Not applicable”, reiterating that no such proposal exists. (JKNS)
