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No need for additional purchases at the moment since the State is not facing a power crisis, says Power department
The United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Keralam has sparked controversy by easing norms for self-financing courses and expanding seats in autonomous colleges. The Opposition alleges the move commercializes higher education, while the government defends it as promoting academic autonomy.
The Higher Education Department issued a revised circular on November 6, withdrawing September 11's instructions and introducing a new system for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for new courses and seat increases in affiliated colleges. Autonomous colleges can now introduce new self-financing courses without government NOC, and autonomous aided colleges can do the same for unaided or self-financing courses without NOC.
The circular also exempts these institutions from NOC requirements for permanent seat increases in existing courses.
However, the circular retains the three-year NOC renewal requirement for self-financing colleges and requires government approval for new aided courses and permanent seat increases in aided courses. New courses and seat increases in unaided/self-financing colleges still need approval from the applicable university or regulatory authority.
Higher Education Minister Roji M. John defended the decision, stating it strengthens academic autonomy and modernizes the higher education system. He clarified that the relaxation doesn't confer financial autonomy or alter merit and reservation arrangements. He also emphasized government approval remains necessary for programs with financial liability for the State.
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the decision, alleging it enables private managements to introduce self-financing courses and increase seats without adequate scrutiny. The Students Federation of India (SFI) launched protests, accusing the government of opening higher education to commercial interests. The CPI(M) feeder alleged the move failed to extend comparable opportunities to government and aided colleges.
The Kerala Students Union (KSU) defended the government, accusing the SFI of opposing education reforms for political reasons. KSU State president Aloshious Xavier argued the sector faced challenges during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, contributing to student migration.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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