DISTANCE MODE DEGREE OF ENGINEERING NOT CONSIDERED AS REGULAR ONE:HIGH COURT
The Punjab and high court has held that an engineering degree obtained through distance mode cannot be considered at par with the degree obtained through physical mode. The HC was of the view that a person who has not physically attended the classes/course and has not undertaken practical training cannot be said to be an engineer. According to the HC, the functions of engineers are of significant importance as they are involved in building the nation’s infrastructure and any incompetence due to lack of knowledge would not only endanger the precious lives of citizens, but also cost the state exchequer dearly.
“It is difficult to accept that an engineering degree through distance mode of education would be at par with a course undertaken through physical mode. In the study of engineering, theoretical concepts are taught which are then put in practice through practical training. If we accept such degrees obtained through distance learning, the day is not far when there will be MBBS courses being conducted through distant mode of learning which would have disastrous consequences. I shudder to think whether any patient would like to be treated by a doctor who has obtained an MBBS degree through distance learning,” the HC has observed. Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal of the HC has passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by Naresh Kumar and others, who were employees of the Haryana Public Works Department (PWD), challenging the promotion of another employee who was promoted on the rank of executive engineer (XEN) on the basis of a degree obtained through distance education from J R N Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University
The bench was hearing the petition filed by Naresh Kumar and another seeking to set aside the order dated November 18, 2019, whereby Vinod Rawal was promoted to the post of executive engineer (civil).
The petitioners, through counsel Anurag Goyal, argued that Rawal was promoted as executive engineer in violation of Section 6(a) (proviso) of Haryana Service of Engineers, Group-A, Public Works (Building and Roads) Department Act, 2010, vide notification dated November 4, 2010 wherein it is stipulated that a person, who has obtained a degree of civil engineering through distance education mode will not be eligible for promotion. Rawal had obtained the degree in engineering through distance education from JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, which is not recognised by UGC and AICTE, the petitioner’s counsel contended.
The statute provides the qualification of appointment and in the proviso, it has been stipulated that no degree obtained through correspondence or distance education mode shall be considered for appointment by any mode of recruitment, the HC was informed. They were aggrieved by the decision of Haryana government by which an employee of the same department was promoted on the basis of engineering degree obtained through correspondence. Interestingly, that employee had subsequently retired after promotion. The HC has now ordered to set-aside the promotion of the official.