Over 22 Delhi University Colleges are Running without Permanent Principals

Among the total 77 colleges under Delhi University, there are over 22 colleges which don’t have a permanent principal. The dearth of permanent principals has irked the university teachers’ association, who are demanding for the process of recruitment to get streamlined. Even reputed colleges like Hindu College, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Kirorimal College and Kamala Nehru College are running without a permanent principal.

These prominent colleges are either being supervised by an acting principal or by an officer on special duty. The Hindu College Principal post is being held by an acting principal for the past few years, due to the fact that it remained vacant for a long time. According to the website of the college, the permanent principal post was last held till 2008, by the last principal. Not only are colleges like Hindu college or Sri Ram College of Commerce are without any permanent principals, but other colleges like Rajdhani College, Gargi College, Institute of Home Economics, Deshbandhu College etc under Delhi University is also running under temporary arrangements for the post.

According a member of Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), “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 facility and permanent principal for years. Around 4000 posts for teachers have also been lying vacant.”

The DU’SC/ST forum convener, Hansraj Suman said, “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.”

The Delhi University spokesperson Malay Neerav has said, “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 Vice Chancellor took charge last month. So this transition has halted the process of appointments which has been resumed now. Positions have been advertised, interviews will be conducted soon.”