DUTA Letter to Chairman, Governing Body, Aryabhatta College

Mr. Chandan Mitra
Chairman, Aryabhatta College                                                
(University of Delhi)
4, Ferozeshah Road
New Delhi -110001  
                                                                       

Dear Sir,

Your kind attention is drawn to the above-cited subject. We wish to draw your attention to the gross irregularities in the procedure for appointment of the college principal, for which the interviews are to be held on Nov. 13, 2014:

1. First and foremost, the advertisement for the post of principal which appeared in the newspapers in July 2014 is based on the UGC rules of eligibility for principalship of 2010. However, it will be pertinent to mention here that the UGC subsequently modified and updated the 2010 criteria in June 2013. In spite of this, the college / university administration chose to ignore the latest UGC criteria of eligibility of June 2013, which were subsequently adopted by the University Executive Council on 6 March 2014.
2. Following from this act of the college / DU administration, certain candidates have been invited for the interview who, as per the latest UGC rules of minimum eligibility, are not qualified for the post of principal.
3. There are allegations that the upper-cap eligibility criteria of various categories as well as the upper-cap criteria within the same category (e.g.  Publications: Research Papers and Books) laid down by the UGC for minimum API scores have not been adhered to, in order to declare some ineligible candidates eligible.
4. What has been stated at 1, 2 & 3 above, can readily be ascertained by you, since all the documents and applications of all the candidates (including those who have been called for the interview) are in your possession. It is alleged that this is being done to accommodate a particular candidate who does not satisfy the approved UGC eligibility criteria.
5. We have also heard that no candidate from the reserved categories (viz. SC/ ST/OBC/PwD etc.) has been invited for the interview even though there are applicants from these categories with higher API scores than some of those who have been called. This would be in gross violation of the GOI/ UGC guidelines and an abdication of constitutional obligation on the part of the college / DU.  

• Postpone the interviews for principalship fixed for Nov. 13, 2014.
• Issue a fresh valid advertisement for the post of principal in accordance with the revised UGC rules of June 2013.
• Ensure fair scrutiny of applications as per the API scores obtained in accordance with these UGC rules including the categories and “upper-cap/s” laid down by the UGC for the purpose.
• Institute a thorough probe into the matter to fix responsibility and take action against those who may be found responsible.

With regards,
Yours sincerely,

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