The government is considering a proposal to provide more financial and administrative powers to the Principal of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam.

The move is aimed at cutting the bureaucratic delay and speed up development projects at the only government college having the autonomous status in the State.

The Higher Education Department has started vetting the proposal that figured top in the recommendations given by a committee on autonomous colleges set up by the Kerala State Higher Education Council.

In its report submitted to the government, the committee said that more powers have to be delegated to the Principal, especially as the secretary of the governing council of the institution.

“Delegating such powers to the Principal will help implement various academic and infrastructure development plans of the college without delay. The cumbersome bureaucratic process in getting clearances from the top will slow down development works,” it said.

Recommendations

The committee report has recommended additional staff members to be provided at the Office of the Controller of Examinations. The expansion and upgrading of the college office have to be undertaken urgently. Arrangements are to be made for the efficient utilisation of funds for undertaking initiatives with ease. There should be proper coordination of the use of funds from different sources (College Development Council, Rashtriya Uchathar Shiksha Abhiyan of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Plan Fund, Autonomy Fund etc.), it said.

The committee has proposed working out a separate scheme for government autonomous colleges related to the academic and administrative matters. It has also suggested the service of the Principal and teaching faculty for a longer period in autonomous colleges.