UGC cautions 21 Bengal universities for not appointing ombudsmen

 Among the 21 universities, 17 are state-run while the remaining four are private operating universities.

IANS | January 27, 2024 : University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned that as many as 21 universities in West Bengal have defaulted in appointing ombudsmen meant for addressing the grievances of the students’ there.

Among the 21 universities, 17 are state-run while the remaining four are private operating universities.

UGC has not disclosed the names of the universities.

Sources said among 21 universities also include two iconic institutions: University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University (JU).

However, the JU authorities have claimed that there might be some miscommunications regarding the name of the university appearing among the list of defaulters since an ombudsman has already been appointed by the university authorities within the specified date.

Earlier on January 17, UGC released an important notice, stating that the Universities were requested to appoint Ombudsperson(s) within 30 days of the notification of the Regulations vide letter dated 12 April 2023. This was followed with several reminders.

UGC has notified the University Grants Commission (Redressal of Crievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 in the Official Cazette on 11 April 2023 (available on UGC website). The Universities were requested to appoint Ombudsperson(s) within 30 days of the notification of the Regulations vide letter dated 12 April 2023. This was followed with several reminders. 

ln the previous communication dated 5 December 2023, the universities were again requested to appoint Ombudsperson(s) and implement other provisions of UGC Regulations by 31 December 2023. It was also mentioned that the list of universities not complying with these requirements would be published on the UGC website. 

Accordingly, the list of Universities who are yet to appoint the Ombudsperson(s) are attached herewith. Those universities who have appointed or appoint Ombudsperson(s) subsequently may communicate the complete details of the Ombudspersons to the following emails: In case of a Central Universitv: mssarma.usc@nic.in In case of a State University smitabidani.us.c@nic.in 

ln case of a Deemed to be University: ijlg4!14.qgg@iqi4 In case of a Private University: shakeel.ugc(r,nic.in Universities who have already appointed Ombudsperson(s) but find their name in the list may also write to the above emails. 

The Universities and their affiliated Colleges are requested to display the particulars and contact details of the Ombudsperson(s) and Students Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC) on their websites and at prominent places on their campuses. 

Similarly, stakeholders and the general public may write to the above emails if any University/College does not have an Ombudsperson/SGRC or their details are not available in the public domain.

The state universities of West Bengal are: Aliah University, Alipurduar University, Bankura University, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay, Burdwan University, Calcutta University, Dakshin Dinajpur University, Darjeeling Hills University, Jadavpur University, Kalyani University,  Kanyashree University, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, The Bengal Engineering & Science University, University of Gour Banga, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal State University and West Bengal University of Teachers, Training, Education Planning and Administration.

The private state universities are: Amity University, Seacom Skills University, St. Xavier's University and Kolkata Techno lndia University,