Bengaluru: The Visvesaraya Technological University (VTU) has directed the principals of all its 219 affiliated, autonomous and constituent engineering colleges to constitute a Students Grievance Redressal Committees at their respective colleges to redress grievances of aggrieved students.
Prof. A.S. Deshpande, Registrar of VTU, has issued a circular recently following a directive from University Grants Commission (UGC) Secretary Rajnish Jain and Government of Karnataka.
As per University Grants Commission (Redressal of Grievance of Students) Regulations, 2019, all engineering colleges must compulsorily form committees to look into complaints within three months of this notification.
The regulations are aimed at addressing and effectively resolving grievances of students related to both UGC and AICTE-approved technical institutions. The circular said all colleges must have their online portal to receive complaints from students. Institutions have also been asked to furnish details of complaints on its website and in its prospectus besides providing for all relevant information in respect of SGRCs coming under its purview, and the Ombudsperson for the purpose of appeals. The UGC has also directed to constitute such committees at the University and the Department level. A SGRC, which is headed by Principals and other staff members must resolve complaints of the students within 15 days of receiving them.
Students can also file complaints against denial of quality education as promised at the time of admission, all forms of harassment and victimisation, non-transparent or unfair practices adopted by the institution for the evaluation of students.
They may also lodge complaints to ombudsperson appointed by the College related to delay or denial of refund of fees of the students for withdrawing admissions, delay in payment of scholarships, failure by institution to conduct the examination and declaration of the results and delay in providing basic amenities.
