A delegation of Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) participated in the workshop conducted by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi for the handbook approval process for the year 2017-18 in Delhi.The delegation was led by the President, PUCA, Dr. Anshu Kataria. The associations of different States participated in the workshop. The Vice Chancellor’s, Registrars, Chairmen, Directors of various Universities/Colleges also participated.Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, PUCA while speaking on the occasion said that as more than 50% seats in AICTE approved Colleges are lying vacant so the Colleges may be permitted to reduce the intake/number of seats without asking any charges by AICTE which can further help them to reduce their financial burden.Kataria further demanded that instead of year to year basis approval the AICTE should rather give approval for 2-3 Years to the Colleges so that the Colleges should not go through the approval process every year.
After the workshop while addressing the informal meeting of all the associations of the Country and said that to save the dying AICTE approved Colleges in the Country all associations must come under the roof of a joint National association who can work for the rights of these Colleges.Sh. Manav Dhawan, Tricity Coordinator, PUCA further demanded that the colleges with multiple disciplines should be given further relaxation in terms of land requirement, faculty, library, lab etc. Reform in these rules and regulations would help in reducing the cost of education.Dhawan also demanded that keeping in view the interest of the Colleges and changing scenario of the industry AICTE should take initiative steps in giving approvals for the new courses and Skill Development Courses by National Skill Development Corporation to the Colleges.Sh. Pardeep Kumar, President, Haryana Association; Sh. V.K. Rav, Andhra Association; Sh. Ajit Patel, Sh. A.K Jain, Sh. V.K. Verma, Madhya Pradesh; Dr. Lalit Kumar, Delhi Association, Sh Shridhar, Rajasthan Association; V. Shridhar, Telangna Association; Sh. P.P. Ambastha, Chhattisgarh Association; Dr. Anil Padlekar, Maharashtra Association etc were also present.