No procedure in the UGC Regulations to penalize any college

Appellant sought to know about action taken against Private Aided / Grant-in Aid Colleges affiliated to the Andhra University for not implementing the UGC Regulations, 2018. The PIO explained during the hearing that the UGC is not the authority to take any action as this will be done by the University or the State Government who have to ensure implementation of the regulations. The PIO submitted that the UGC Guidelines, 2018 are mandatory in nature and cannot be overlooked. The CIC held that the order is incomplete as there is no categorical reply to the point raised by the appellant as to what action has been taken against those Private Aided / Grant-in Aid Colleges affiliated to the Andhra University who have not implemented the UGC Regulations, 2018. During the hearing, the CPIO explained that there is no procedure in the UGC Regulations to penalize any college. It is the concerned University with which the College is affiliated or the State Government who has to keep a check on the Colleges and UGC has no role to play in this. The CIC held that incomplete information has been provided and directed the PIO to provide an additional reply to the appellant in the same way as was explained by him during the hearing.

As the overall regulatory body, the UGC has been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the quality of education in the country. The submissions made on behalf of the UGC show that it does not have any direct powers to take penal action against the colleges who do not follow the UGC Regulations, 2018.