State govt plans to set up student rights commission
PLAN Like information commission has to implement a citizens’ charter, student commission will have to ensure implementation of students’ rights charter formulated by academic institutions
JAIPUR: As a first step to have a l a w o n s t udent r i g ht s , t he Rajasthan government is planning to set up a commission to look into the grievances of students in universities and colleges in the state.
A senior government functionary said the proposed commission will adjudicate on violations of fundamental provisions of t he Students Rights Act, which proposes to provide representation to president of the students union in governing and academic council of colleges and universities.
The first complaint will have to file with the governing council and an appeal with the academic council. “If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the academic council, he or she can file an appeal with the com- mission, whose decision will be binding on the academic institutions,” a state government functionary requesting anonymity said.
The structure is similar to the one in Right To Information (RTI) Act, where in the first appeal against denial or incomplete information is filed with a designated official of the department, from where the informat i on i s s ought. The s e c ond appeal is filed with the state information commission.
Like the information commission has to implement a citizen’s charter, the student commission will have to ensure implementation of the students’ rights charter that will be formulated by the academic institutions in consultation with the commission.
“The proposed commission will provide normative framework for non-negotiable rights of any student; recourse for grievance redress; and will deepen democracy by empowering students in universities, academic and executive council,” he said. To start with the commission would have an office at the state level, which would later have sub-ordinate offices at districts and blocks levels.
Rajasthan deputy chief min- ister, Sachin Pilot, said, “The c o mmis s i o n wi l l h e l p in addressing student issues such as delay in exams and results, and they will have an independent forum to redress their grievances. We are getting the proposal legally examined,” he said, adding that such a commission would help in protection of rights of students, especially those from the weaker section.
The idea to have a Student Rights Act was floated by the Congress’ student wing the National Students Union of India (NSUI). “The draft of the proposed law was formulated after consultation with students from across the country,” said Congress secretary and in-charge of NSUI Ruchi Gupta.
She added that it has been observed that majority of students, especially first-generation learners, do not have any support or contact for grievance redress and various in-house committees at the college or university level, either do not function or are often aligned towards the interests of the management or administration.
President Rajasthan Student Federation of India, Sunil Poonia, said, “If such a proposal to establish a Student Right Commission is submitted to protect rights of students than it is welcoming. The students need a channel to redress their grievances such delay in exams and results etc. In addition to quality education, good infrastructure, t r a nsparency, f r e e dom o f speech, fee hike etc requires to be focused.”
Public Relation Officer, University of Rajasthan, Dr Bhupendra Singh Shekhawat said universities and colleges have authorities, rules and regulations to protect rights of students. If a Commission is consti- tuted as advisory to ensure that students rights are protected than it would be beneficial.
“The Commission would prove to be useful in drafting policies and taking initiatives in the interest of students like accidental insurance given by our university which is probably highest in the country – where Rs 6.50 lakh are provided to family in case of death and Rs 45,000 if an injured student is hospitalized for more than 24 hours,” he said.
Rajasthan colleges and universities have about 4.70 lakh students. Apart from the, a large number of students take coaching at institutes in Kota and other emerging hubs such as Sikar and Jodhpur. Children in the age group of 6-14 are covered by the Protection to Children Rights Act. But, there is no legislative mechanism to look into grievances of students.