Ahmedabad: The Gujarat higher education department‘s initiative to fill vacant principal positions in grant-in-aid colleges has hit a roadblock, with professors from self-financed institutions struggling to meet income documentation requirements.
While numerous principal positions remain vacant across grant-in-aid colleges in the state, professors from self-financed colleges keen on these roles face challenges in proving their salary structure in keeping with the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.The UGC mandates candidates to submit proof of salary based on specified grade pay as associate professors. Recently, professors from self-financed colleges aspiring to become principals approached the department, requesting flexibility in income documentation requirements.
A large number of principal positions remain unfilled in grant-in-aid colleges affiliated with various state universities. The equivalent salary structure of principals and associate professors has resulted in limited interest in principal positions. The higher education department authorised certain colleges to proceed with principal recruitment. While professors from grant-in-aid institutions show reluctance, their counterparts from self-financed colleges express keen interest.
Although some professors obtained salary certificates from their colleges confirming grade pay compliance, the department’s requirement for additional proof, such as IT returns, presents complications. Despite recent appeals for relaxation in income documentation requirements, the officials maintain that local modifications to UGC standards are not feasible.