Chandigarh August 17:- The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) for issuing conditional recognition to a college in 2012 despite a stay by the Supreme Court.
The High Court observed that the B.Ed college run by Sion Educational and Welfare Society Fazilka was allowed to complete the course, but the college did not fulfill the conditions for conditional recognition by NCTE.

"A fine of Rs 10 lakh"

The high court said that the students' careers have been jeopardized by the joint action of the NCTE and the petitioner college, who appear to be acting in collusion. The bench said that the petitioner college was in connivance with NCTE, hence a fine of Rs.10 lakh is also imposed on the petitioner college, which will be deposited in the PGI's poor patient fund. In the interest of justice, the court directed that the admission of students be regularized and the university issue appropriate degrees.

"Compulsory to avoid prejudice or discrimination"

The High Court bench said that NCTE is a product of law, which is bound to be free from arbitrariness, favoritism or discrimination. In the present case, the NCTE has left no stone unturned to show that it is in collusion with the petitioner college. The court said that Punjab University never recognized the said college.