Guv objects to recommendation to cancel final-yr varsity exams

tussle between Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is likely to continue as Koshyari on Friday took objections to the state’s recommendation to the University Grants Council (UGC) to cancel final-year university examinations . State higher and technical education minister Uday Samant made the suggestion in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Koshyari has asked chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to resolve the issue of conducting final-year examinations in the state “without any further delay in the larger interest of students”.

Samant, however, questioned the Governor’s demand, which he said came after the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — a student’s outfit linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) — supported holding examinations. “In Goa, ABVP demanded cancellation of examinations and in Maharashtra they want examinations to be held. What kind of politics is this?” Samant said.

According to a press release issued by Raj Bhavan, Koshyari said the minister’s intervention was “unwarranted” and has violated UGC guidelines and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016.

“Not conducting final year examinations…amounts to breach of UGC guidelines,” Koshyari wrote in a letter to the chief minister. He has further said he was not apprised about the matter before the minister recommended the same to UGC.

Koshyari said, “Students receiving degrees without undertaking examinations would have adverse impact on their higher studies, gradation and employability.” He also pointed out that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted exemption from lockdown measures to education boards to conduct Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.

“I have not taken any decision. Only directives have been sought from UGC over cancellation of final year examination of universities. I have also opined in the letter that it would be better to cancel the examinations considering the rising Covid-19 cases. Being a minister, I can share my views with UGC. What is wrong in it?” said Samant.