State opens doors to private universities

The state Assembly on Wednesday cleared the self-financed universities bill. The bill got cleared without any discussion amidst the ruckus created by the Opposition, protesting against the home minister’s reply in the Maval firing, which took place on the Mumbai-Pune expressway on Tuesday.

The state Assembly on Wednesday cleared the self-financed universities bill. The bill got cleared without any discussion amidst the ruckus created by the Opposition, protesting against the home minister’s reply in the Maval firing, which took place on the Mumbai-Pune expressway on Tuesday.

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The law puts down a regulatory framework for private universities to function in the state. The bill states that one of the reasons for pushing for private universities is that the state cannot take the burden of higher education and private funding alone.

Once the bill is enacted (it is yet to be approved by the Legislative Council), foreign universities and educational trusts will be able to apply for a clearance from a state-appointed committee.

Those interested in setting up a private university will have to submit a detailed project report, which includes details of financial resources, infrastructure, nature of research, technical course, and their expertise.

The committee, made up of autonomous academicians and officials, will go through the project report and clear it within three months. The university will be answerable to the state government.

The bill has been put on hold on Monday after Opposition legislators claimed the government was in a haste to get the bill cleared finally allowing it to be passed on Wednesday.