Talking to Express Newsline Vice-Chancellor of M S University Anil Kane said that the circular was issued as per the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Other universities of the State had already implemented the rules laid down by the government, Kane said adding that he was informed about it only during the meeting of all vice-chancellors of universities held recently.

Meanwhile, during a requisition meeting called by the members of the Baroda University Teachers Association on Tuesday, the members demanded that the government should take back its orders. The members added that the university should be given independence in handling matters of recruitment.

Kane, however, clarified that the government had not put a ban on recruitment.

He added that the appointments which were already cleared by the Syndicate would not be affected by the circular, but the appointments which were in the pipeline could be cleared only after the government's permission.

``For this the university would have to first submit its vacancy positions faculty wise to the government. The priority of recruitment too would be decided by the government,'' Kane said.

He added that though the administration had conducted several rounds of interviews and decided to appoint lecturers, their appointments would now be in a limbo till the government cleared it.

In another instruction by the UGC, classes which were to be conducted for 45 minutes would now have to be held for an hour. The professors and lecturers have already started re-planning their schedule and syllabus for the next academic year accordingly.

This instruction has brought a lot of resentment among teachers. One of the professors of the Faculty of Science said, ``With the new time table it would be a difficult task not only for the teachers but also for the students to attend classes for an hour at a stretch.'' He added that it would also mean additional working hours for the teachers, which would definitely not be welcomed by them.