Following an order of the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court to fill the vacant posts of principals in colleges across the state, the University of Pune (UoP) has geared up the process from its side. There are around 300 colleges affiliated to the university that are without full-time principals and the university has written a letter to all such colleges to forward the names of eligible candidates for the post before January 28.

The State Principals’ Federation has also demanded speedy implementation of the High Court order and a delegation of the federation will meet State Higher Education Minister Rajesh Tope on January 27 in this regard.

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered the state government and state universities to fill the vacant posts of principals before May 31, failing which they won’t be allowed to admit new students in the next academic year. The order also wanted the universities to begin the process of disaffiliating the colleges if they fail to fall in line.

“Many a times the colleges do not get applications for the posts. In that case, there should be an option open within the staff. With this view, the UoP has asked the colleges to send in a list of eligible candidates from within the colleges,” said Pandit Vidyasagar, director of board of college and university development.

Vidyasagar said the list would serve as a ready reckoner in case no one applies for the post. “The colleges have started sending in the lists. We are hoping to get the required data before January 28,” he said.

State Principals’ Federation president Nandkumar Nikam had a different take though. “Had the universities and the state government taken action long before, the issue would not have been this bad,” he said.