SC stops IGNOU, DEC from interefering in PT Univ distance course

New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court has held that Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Distance Education Council (DEC) have no authority to interfere with the distance Education courses run by Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jalandhar.

A bench comprising Mr Justice KG Balakrishnan and Mr Justice D K Jain, however, requested the Himachal Pardesh High Court to dispose off the matter expeditiously, aAs it is for University Grants Commission (UGC) to grant affiliation and recognition to the university and its courses.

IGNOU and DEC had challenged the High Court order dated March 27,2006 restraining them from interfering with PTU-run distance education courses till further orders.

The petitioners have contended that PTU has no authority to run these courses outside Punjab and all universities including PTU came under IGNOU so far as distance education related matters are concerned.

UNI AKS SC OM VC1720