[ToI] Regulatory bodies have failed to check ragging: SC panel

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12 Jun 2008, 0324 hrs IST,TNN

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court-appointed RK Raghvan Committee to monitor ragging in colleges has severely criticized regulatory bodies like University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education and Medical Council of India for failing to regulate anti-ragging measures.

Speaking to TOI after a meeting on Wednesday, Raghvan said, "The committee is not exactly happy with the regulatory bodies. Instead of taking suo motu interest in implementing anti-ragging steps, they are acting more like a post-office." Raghvan pointed out, "In the US, every university declares the kind of crime taking place on the campus. It should be done in India also so that parents know how crime-free the campus is."

Underlining various reasons for the lacklustre performance of the regulatory bodies, Raghavan said, "Apart from having little machinery, regulatory bodies have become too close to educational organizations. They believe in tokenism. But I have told them in no uncertain terms to be proactive." He said the regulatory bodies should tell the colleges to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards ragging.

At the meeting, the committee told UGC to ensure that release of grants under various schemes is linked with compliance by institutions with the directions of the Supreme Court on ragging. On the other hand, institutions where no ragging takes place should be provided incentives. The committee told regulatory bodies that the SC is solidly behind them and therefore no effort should be spared to put an end to the menace.

The committee also asked the regulatory bodies to ensure that wherever any incident of ragging is reported and the institution does not take adequate steps for redressing the grievance, they (regulatory bodies) should conduct an inquiry through a fact-finding committee.

The HRD ministry has also been asked to come out with advertisements in the next few weeks as the admission season has begun. "There is no half-way house. The advertisements should make it clear that those who indulge in ragging would be thrown out of their institution. Parents of students should know it now."