Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Jun: Vice-Chairman of the Uttarakhand State Higher Education Upgradation Committee and senior BJP leader Dr Devendra Bhasin has said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is taking several significant steps to strengthen higher education in Uttarakhand, with special focus on the welfare of teachers and students studying in non-government aided colleges.
In a statement issued here, today, Dr Bhasin asserted that the government has taken a series of decisions aimed at improving the quality of education and addressing long-pending issues concerning teachers and educational institutions. He said the promotion process in aided colleges, which had remained restricted for a long time, has now been opened for all the eligible posts. At the same time, teachers and students of aided colleges have also been brought within the ambit of the Chief Minister’s Research Promotion Scheme, a benefit that was earlier available only to government universities and colleges.
Bhasin said the government has also resolved issues relating to the salaries of teachers and has also approved a budget equivalent to six months’ salary expenditure, ensuring greater financial stability for educational institutions. He added that promotion to the post of Professor in government colleges had remained stalled for a considerable period despite promotions taking place at Levels 11, 12 and 13. The process has now been opened and the Director of Higher Education has issued the necessary orders to facilitate promotions on the lines of those granted to teachers in government institutions.
He further said that permission has been granted for the appointment of Principals in aided colleges where regular incumbents are not in place and the process is currently underway. Stressing on the government’s commitment to institutional development, Bhasin said consultations would be held with college managements to ensure proper utilisation of student fees for infrastructure and academic advancement. He also indicated that the state government may consider extending special assistance to such institutions where necessary.
Bhasin added that in accordance with the provisions of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), the government is promoting skill development, entrepreneurship, start-ups and courses aligned with market requirements while also encouraging subjects linked to India’s traditional knowledge systems. He said the Higher Education Department remains committed to transparency and good governance in line with the CM’s vision for educational reform and institutional accountability.
