12 June 2009
UGC set to implement stringent anti-ragging rules Ragging a fellow student can attract a fine up to Rs 2.5 lakh to a student, who can also be expelled from the institute and debarred from taking admission to any other institute for a specified period.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex body for regulating higher education in the country, is set to implement a stringent antiragging regulation under which the offence will be treated as a severe criminal act at par with rape.
The regulations will be implemented once they are notified by the government, UGC Chairman Prof Sukhadeo Thora told reporters.
The UGC regulations stipulate that students can be expelled from an institute and debarred from taking admission to any other institute for a specified period after being found guilty of the offence.
The regulations say students can be fined up to Rs 2.5 lakh if found guilty of ragging. The UGC regulations provide for rustication of a student for a period from one to four semesters. Besides, a national call centre will start operation from June 15 to enable ragging victims from across the country to dial a toll free number to register complaints.