Won't interfere in DU decisions: Government

NEW DELHI: Making it clear that the Centre will not come in the way of DU from introducing the four-year undergraduate course, the government today said it will look into the concerns expressed by some sections but the momentum generated towards its implementation should not be derailed.


Any decision on differing the programme by a year will be left to the Delhi University to decide as it is an autonomous institution, the government clarified.

"We should not be seen as dictating them or question their wisdom. If they feel comfortable to go ahead, we don't want to come in the way," HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju told reporters here.

His statements came a day after Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor spoke on the same lines at the Google Hangout programme here.

Raju said the concerns expressed by dissenting groups have been discussed at length with DU Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh.

The VC has assured that "things are going in the right direction", he said to persistent queries if his Ministry plans to intervene on the issue.

Raju said there would always be resistance to changes in the country and that students need not be "alarmed".

"We definitely don't want to derail the enthusiasm and momentum generated and certainly do not want to impinge on the academic authority and independence of the executive council of the university...About the concerns expressed, we are giving it deep thought and scrutiny and ensure it is addressed," he said.

He, however, noted that the concerns were limited to the speed with which the programme was being implemented and the omissions of some key elements of the course but not for the new scheme per se.

The new programme will entail awarding a diploma if a student exits after two years, a bachelor's degree after three years and a bachelor's degree with honours or a B Tech degree on completion of four years.