Bengaluru(Press Release): The National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP-2020), has proposed the National Accreditation Council (NAC) as a meta-accrediting body. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already appointed a committee to bring synergy between NAAC, the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), and the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) to propose a common framework and a road map for NAC.
The NEP-2020 envisages a stage-wise mechanism for granting graded autonomy to colleges and in the long run, accreditation will become a binary process. Accreditation of institutions will be based primarily on basic norms, public self-disclosure, good governance, and outcomes, and it will be carried out by an independent ecosystem of accrediting institutions, supervised and overseen by NAC. The license to function as an accreditor shall also be awarded by NAC to an appropriate number of institutions. In the short term, a robust system of graded accreditation needs to be established with specific benchmarks for all HEIs to achieve set levels of quality, self-governance, and autonomy. This will lead to several reforms in the Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) system. The recently released NAAC White Paper has proposed a road map in this direction.
Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, Chairman of the Executive Committee, NAAC has stated that it is necessary to generate more awareness about the proposed reforms, to assert the importance of accreditation, and ensure improvement of educational quality. He has emphasized that more HEIs should be encouraged to come forward for accreditation. The NAAC has taken steps to increase the number of accredited HEIs. Dr S.C. Sharma, Director NAAC, stated, “Today on the day auspicious of Vijaya Dashami, theNAAC has decided to establish a Handholding and Mentoring Cell (HMC) to encourage more HEIs to come forward for the A&A process.”
The NAAC has already issued a cautionary note warning that some agencies or consultancy firms are approaching HEIs with proposals to help in getting them accreditation and simultaneously making various commitments and promises.
The Council has not authorized any agents or consultants for accreditation work. The NAAC expects that an institution must itself complete the preparation for accreditation and not try to outsource it. HEIs are advised to avoid entertaining such unauthorized agents. Dr Patwardhan has urgently appealed that HEIs should desist from associating with such dubiousagents/consultancy services. They should take advantage of the authentic services provided by the NAAC-HMC initiative.
NAAC-HMC is expected toguideHEIs across the geographical area,especially from underserved remote areas. Those HEIs completing at least two cycles of accreditation with consistently high grades (Mentor HEIs) may volunteer and participate in this initiative.Dr Sharma has appealed to and invited HEIs, especially non-accredited ones (Mentee HEIs) who need guidance and help, to register themselves by submitting an application in the prescribed format available on the NAAC website.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
