Prodded by the University Grants Commission, Delhi University has asked all its 60 affiliated colleges to keep their classrooms and laboratories open from 8am to 8pm every working day, drawing the ire of faculty members who called the move "arbitrary".
The university has issued a notification stating that the colleges and the post-graduate departments on the university campus have to follow the new timetable to ensure optimal utilisation of resources in keeping with the UGC guidelines issued to central universities earlier this year.
“All colleges and universities are required to take appropriate measures to open the classrooms and laboratory facilities from 8am to 8pm on all working days,” said the notification issued by registrar Vikas Gupta.
According to the UGC rules, the central universities will have to start sharing their facilities among themselves. The UGC provides funds to the varsities and its colleges for the creation of infrastructure and their maintenance and operations.
The government has been asking institutions to raise internal resources to meet operational costs without depending on the government. According to the UGC rules, sharing the existing resources will increase the output without the investment of additional funds.
Rajesh Jha, a faculty member of Rajdhani College, called it an “arbitrary” order since it has not been discussed in forums like the academic council and executive council. "This must be read in the background of shrinking budgetary allocations on education, not releasing funds and faculty for the economically weaker section expansion, holding back the second tranche of OBC expansion plan,” he said.