No interference with UGC call on final yr exams: SC Asks Maha govt to submit disaster mgmt body’s decision against exams

While saying that it has not passed any interim order to interfere with the July 6 University Grant Commission’s circular instructing universities/colleges to hold final year examinations of undergraduate and postgraduate degree course across the country, the Supreme Court on Friday asked Maharashtra government to place before it the State Disaster Management Authority’s decision against the holding of examinations in the State in the wake of unabated spread of Covid pandemic in the state.

Heading a three judge bench, Justice Ashok Bhushan asked the lawyer for the Maharashtra government, “Did you bring on record that State Disaster Management Authority’s decision of June 19, 2020, against the holding of the exams in the state.”

Giving time to Maharashtra to bring on record the decision taken by SDMA, the court adjourned the hearing to August 10. The bench, also comprising Justices R. Subhash Reddy and M.R.Shah, also asked the Delhi government to file its reply.

The court made it clear that it has not passed any interim order relating to July 6 circular of UGC as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court, “Let nobody should have the impression that since the court is hearing it, everything is on standstill.”

Appearing for one of the petitioners, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that the July 6 UGC circular was contrary to the July 29 notification issued by the government relating to second phase pof unlocking which continues with the closure of the schools and colleges.

“Can you do final year examination with thousands of students coming to examination centres,” Mr Singhvi told the court.

The UGC on July 30 defended its July 6 decision asking all the universities and colleges to complete the final year examination of undergraduate and postgraduate courses by September 30, saying that it has given sufficient time to hold the exams keeping in view the prevailing situation due to Covid pandemic..

Justifying its July 6 circular asking universities to conclude final year examinations by September 30, the UGC has said that universities have been given sufficient flexibility to conduct exams.

◗ GIVING TIME to Maharashtra to bring on record the decision taken by the SDMA, the apex court adjourned the hearing to Aug. 10. The bench also asked the Delhi govt to file its reply.