Amendments to 3 key educational bills cleared by cabinet

Updated on: Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Cabinet on Tuesday cleared amendments to three important higher education bills. Approval of changes in the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill and Educational Tribunal Bill could pave way for the passage of two crucial bills.

Cabinet also cleared amendment in the Central Universities Act that would lead to creation of one more central university in Motihari, Bihar. Central University to be established in Gaya is already functioning from Patna. After a protracted tussle between the Centre and Bihar government over the location of central university it was decided that with available financial resource of Rs 240 crore, two universities would be set up. HRD minister Kapil Sibal was opposed to central university coming up in Motihari, while CM Nitish Kumar had made a poll promise of that it would be established there only. Other political parties were, however, in favour of Motihari. Sibal, who backed Gaya, argued that Motihari is remote and would not attract the best faculty and student.

Changes in the accreditation bill have been made to allay concerns expressed by key ally Trinamool Congress. It has been decided that there would be accreditation body even at the state level. The amendment to educational tribunal bill includes delinking the legislation with another proposed law that seeks to deal with unfair practices in higher educational institutions. Instead, of mentioning that the tribunal would deal with violation of unfair practices bill, now the term 'unfair practice' would be limited to violations of set norms by institutions in admission, charging of fees and related issues. Educational Tribunal Bill was passed in Lok Sabha last year and has been held up in Rajya Sabha since then. In the upper House, protest was led by Congress itself. Amendment in the bill would mean that it would have to go back to Lok Sabha. Bill on accreditation is also awaiting passage in the lower House.

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