August 3, 2021

High Court of H.P. has directed Prof.Sikander, Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the H.P. University to be present before the Court

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA------The High Court of H.P. has directed Prof.Sikander,  Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the H.P. University  to be present before the  Court on August 9, 2021, in the matter related to  lack of facilities and infrastructure in  Jawahar Lal Nehru College of Fine Arts,  Shimla.

The  Division Bench comprising  Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed these orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the Court as Public Interest Litigation on a letter addressed to the Chief Justice by the students of JLN College of Fine Arts, Shimla.

It has been alleged in the letter that H.P. Government started Jawahar Lal Nehru College of Fine Arts in May 2015 in five rooms of  Government Degree College Chaura Maidan, Shimla and about 143 students are pursuing BFA degree from the said college. They students have  alleged that  the college does not have experienced teachers, proper infrastructure, i.e. labs, workshops etc.  They have complained about  the non-compatibility of their syllabus with that of other Universities and non-declaration of their results. They have also  alleged that sufficient land has been given to the college near Shimla but it seems that college authority is not interested to shift to the proposed area. 

The Court in its earlier orders had observed that the maintenance of standard of education is a solemn responsibility of the University, but, so far as this college is concerned, University has miserably failed to do so.  Therefore,  it becomes necessary in the interest of  the students as well as their future lives and career that the quality of education that is being imparted under this University, be considered by the Court. 

The Court in its earlier order had directed the University to furnish information related to the number of colleges that falls within its jurisdiction, the courses being offered in  each one of these institutions, the number of students, faculty etc. in each one of the colleges, the inspection reports carried on in these colleges for the last five years and the existing infrastructure as well as the required infrastructure for each one of these colleges. 

            During the course of hearing, the  Standing Counsel appearing for the University, submitted that in spite of making repeated requests, no proper instructions are being given by  the University in the matter. Hence, the Court asked the aforesaid officers to appear personally before the Court.

            The Court posted the matter for 9th August, 2021. 

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