UGC toughens stand in confrontation with Delhi University

NEW DELHI: Brushing aside the resistance of Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh, the UGC today asked the varsity to dump the controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) and implement the old three- year course which a majority of the colleges has accepted.

The UGC's reiteration of the order came on a day of high drama when DU's media coordinator circulated a message that the "VC has resigned", which his supporters later denied.

A day after the DU colleges' principals association decided to defer admissions, the UGC today said 57 of the 64 colleges under the DU, including prestegious ones, have said that they are complying with its directive to start admissions for the three-year programme.

The release also listed the colleges which have agreed to implement the three-year programme that inclue the Hindu College, Jesus and Mary, St Stephens, Miranda House, Sri Venkateswara, Lady Sri Ram College and Sri Ram College of Commerce.

"Today, the UGC sent another communication to the University of Delhi directing it to immediately issue a letter to the Delhi Colleges for admitting students to the three-year undergraduatge programme, the UGC said in a press release after six hours of deliberations with HRD Minsistry officials.

The UGC's further hardening of stand came on a day of dramatic developments when the university's media coordinator Malay Neerav sent an SMS in the afternoon that "VC has resigned".

Victory celebrations broke out among students and teachers opposed to the FYUP but the VC's supporters claimed he has not resigned.

Both the VC and his media coordinator remained inaccesible for the rest of the day.