Raviprasad Kamila / The Hindu

They have failed to obtain `B' grade certificate from NAAC 

• The colleges have got `C' or `C plus' grade certificates
• The action is based on a High Court order

Mangalore, Sep 9: The Department of Collegiate Education has issued a show-cause notice to 36 degree colleges (or first grade colleges) in the State asking why the department should not recommend to the Government to withhold, withdraw or reduce grants to them for failing to get "B" grade certificate of assessment and accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The department's action is based on a High Court order issued on March 27, 2004, in writ petitions 31576-87/1997 and connected writ petitions.

These 36 colleges had got either "C" or "C plus" grade certificates from the NAAC. But the court had directed the Government that such colleges should produce "B" grade certificates for receiving grants.

The court order said that the Government should within four weeks (from March 27, 2004) issue an order/notification specifying the period within which private educational institutions claiming or receiving grants should produce "B" grade certificates of assessment and accreditation from NAAC. If they failed to comply with the requirements of Rule 15 (1) (f), the Government could examine and pass orders regarding withholding, withdrawal or reduction of grants to such institutions.

Following this, the Government, on June 16, 2004, issued a notification giving time to the colleges to obtain "B" grade certificates. Colleges situated in urban areas, excluding urban centres under Hyderabad Karnataka Development Board (HKDB), were given time till April 30, 2005, and colleges situated in rural areas and those under HKDB were given time till April 30, 2006, to obtain the certificate.

Of the 36 colleges four are in the Mangalore University limits. They are Kukke Subrahamanyeshwara College; Besant Evening College, Mangalore; B.T. Channaiah Gowramma College, Somwarpet; and Poornaprajna Evening College, Udupi.

A M Narahari, president, Federation of University and College Teachers' Associations in Karnataka, told The Hindu that if the Government should cut grants or reduced grants to the 36 colleges, it would affect approximately 500 college teachers drawing University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scale and about 300 non-teaching staff drawing the State pay scale.

He said the Government could give more time to these colleges to obtain the certificate. If not, the Government could file an affidavit in co-urt explaining the reasons and seeking permission to continue the grant.