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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate alleged irregularities at four B.Ed colleges in Madhya Pradesh, amid reports that some institutions were not operating from their declared addresses and lacked the infrastructure mandated under regulatory norms.In an order issued on July 15, the NCTE said the independent panel has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry into allegations of non-compliance, including colleges allegedly functioning from the same premises and failing to meet prescribed standards.The committee, headed by former Central University of South Bihar vice-chancellor H.C.S. Rathore, has been directed to submit a comprehensive report backed by documentary and videographic evidence within five working days.The move follows media reports highlighting serious irregularities at three B.Ed colleges affiliated with Barkatullah University.During preliminary verification, officials found that a fourth institution was also operating from the same premises, prompting the committee to widen the scope of its investigation.The panel comprises Ashima Mangla, Joint Secretary at the University Grants Commission (UGC); Bhagwati Prasad Kalal and J.P. Singh from the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education; a nominee of the Madhya Pradesh government; and Wg Cdr Vijay Rana, Regional Director of the NCTE\u2019s Western Regional Committee.According to NCTE officials, the committee was constituted on July 15 and reached Madhya Pradesh on July 17 to begin inspections.“They have undertaken physical verification of all the colleges. During the course of the preliminary study, it was found that, in addition to the three colleges reported earlier, one more college was functioning from the same premises. Hence, four colleges are being inspected,” the NCTE said in a statement.The committee has been asked to carry out on-site inspections supported by geotagged videography and photographs.It will examine allegations reported in the media and compare on-ground findings with records submitted by the institutions, including recognition documents and Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs).The panel will also assess whether the colleges comply with provisions of the NCTE Act, 1993, NCTE regulations and prescribed norms relating to infrastructure, laboratories, land availability, instructional facilities, faculty strength and other conditions for recognition.The committee has been directed to submit its findings within five working days.“The Department has viewed this as a serious lapse and, accordingly, strict punitive action will be taken against the defaulting institutions, as necessary, after conducting a complete 360-degree comprehensive review,” the NCTE said.(With ANI inputs)<\/div>\n