Is fake NGO selling doctorate degrees?

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: An NGO is allegedly selling honorary doctorate degrees at the payment of Rs 5,000. A NGO named MAHATMA GANDHI GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION, Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha was allegedly found to sell honorary doctorate title in social media. A man named Saidur Rahman of Bharalumukh, Guwahati filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati on June 15, 2020 against the said NGO. The Police Commissioner handed over the matter to the DCP (Crime) on June 16, 2020 for necessary probe. Rahman mentioned one name, Hrushikesh Acharya of Bhubaneswar, Odisha in his complaint. In his complaint Rahman further said that he had seen an advertisement in Facebook. He inquired over their mobile number, and they informed him that he could buy an honorary doctorate for an amount of Rs 5000.

It is necessary to mention here that only Universities have only power to confer honorary Doctorate title to any individual in India and no NGO or charitable trust is legally authorized to confer any type of honorary doctorate.

Meanwhile, Monojit Singha, executive secretary of the Newspaper Association of India, NE Zonal office filed a public grievance to the Prime Minister Office (PMOPG/E/2020/0501276 dated-15/06/2020) against the said NGO regarding their illegal activity.

"How come an NGO can confer honorary doctorate to any one? The matter is serious and a complaint has been field. The people involved should be arrested and investigated so that we can find out how many such doctorate degrees have been sold. The Central Government and UGC should monitor suck fake NGOs mushrooming in the country, who are selling fake honorary doctorate," Rahman said.

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 18th June, 2020