more-in Madurai The delay in government’s takeover of 41 constituent colleges of State-run universities, despite an announcement that it will be done from this academic year, has raised concerns among section of academicians and students. As part of announcements made through Rule 110 of the legislative assembly, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in June that the constituent colleges, which are currently being managed by the respective universities, will be converted to government colleges. The universities were consequently asked not to introduce or alter the courses already being offered and collect fees on a par with government colleges for this academic year. While a deadline of July 1, 2018 was initially targeted for the takeover, it was subsequently shifted to August 1, 2018 owing to administrative delays. Sources in the Higher Education department said that there were delays from some of the universities in furnishing required details about the constituent colleges. However, further delay has raised doubts on whether the takeover will happen in this academic year. “It looks like the government underestimated the complexities and financial implications of converting the constituent colleges to government colleges,” said the Principal of one of the six constituent colleges of Madurai Kamaraj University. A faculty member of another constituent college of MKU said that one of the key issues government will face will be the handling of staff working in these colleges. “A vast majority of the staff in these colleges, both teaching and non-teaching, are temporary staff working in various pay scales. A number of colleges have excess number of staff, particularly on the non-teaching side. It will be a headache for the government since they cannot be simply asked to leave,” he said. Meanwhile, following the announcement by the government, requests have also been made for the conversion of six university colleges of MSU and one of MKU, which are run on self-financing mode unlike the constituent colleges, also into government colleges. “The government asked us to furnish details for the same. However, no decision has been taken yet,” a senior official from MKU said. When contacted, a senior official from the Higher Education department said that though there were some procedural delays, the government was committed to complete takeover of these colleges in this academic year itself.

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