Stringent action against private varsities selling forged degrees: HP Education Minister

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had got a complaint claiming that 18 private universities, including two in Himachal Pradesh, were selling forged degrees. 

On Thursday, Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj held that stringent action would be taken against any private university found selling forged degrees. Addressing the Himachal Pradesh assembly, he stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had got a complaint claiming that 18 private universities, including two in Himachal Pradesh, were selling forged degrees. According to the minister, the state principal secretary (education) forwarded this letter to the HP Private Institutions Regulatory Commission for an inquiry. 

He informed that no proof has been provided in this letter and the state police is probing the matter. Strict action would be taken if any university is found involved in selling fake degrees. Before this, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri had emphasised that there were reports about the connection of two private universities of the state in a forged degree scam.

In recent times, it has been found that a number of private universities were allegedly selling fake degrees in lieu of money. Many students have become a victim of the malpractice. As a medium of shortcut to attain degree without even the need of attending classes, the practice was being mushroomed in leaps and bounds in several states of the country. Himachal Pradesh is one such state which has realised the seriousness of the issue concerning students. Being a part of this malpractice, students themselves become their enemy as such certificates hardly make any sense. No public or even private firm accepts such fake degrees and rejects the candidature of such students during the interview round.

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