New Delhi: Over 22 out of 77 colleges in Delhi University are running without a permanent principal, irking the varsity's teachers' association which has been demanding streamlining of the appointment process.
The colleges which are operating without a permanent principal include prestigious institutions such as Hindu college, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Kirorimal College and Kamla Nehru college, which are either being supervised by an acting principal or an officer on special duty (OSD).
At Hindu College, the post of principal has been vacant for past few years, and is currently held by an acting principal. The college's website shows that the last permanent principal held the post till 2008.
Other colleges which 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 4000 posts for teachers have also been lying vacant," a member of Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) said.
Hansraj Suman, convenor of DU's SC-ST forum has also raised the issue of reservation rosters not being properly followed in recruitments by the university.
"According to DU ordinances, 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," he said.
Delhi University authorities say 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 and taking over by the new incumbent Yogesh Tyagi.
"The HRD ministry had directed all the 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 VC took charge last month," DU spokesperson Malay Neerav said.
"So this transition had halted the process of appointments which has been resumed now. Positions have been advertised, interviews will be conducted soon," he added.
