MLAs call for control over pvt varsities, House clears bills for two

Amidst demands by legislators across party lines to exert government control over private universities in Punjab and conduct checks on quality,two bills pertaining to self financed private universities were passed unanimously on Friday in the state Assembly. The Chandigarh University Bill 2012 and The Adesh University Bill 2012 were passed in the house. While one of the universities will be at Landran,the other will be at Bathinda.

The legislators expressed concern over the quality of the varsities that were already present in the state. They demanded that a control mechanism be in place in order to keep a check on the quality of education as well as prevent education from being commercialised. Leader of opposition Sunil Jakhar said that the idea behind opening deemed universities was providing quality education at reasonable prices. Commercialization should not be allowed.

“The functioning of private universities should be checked. It should be seen whether the trusts are putting the money that they are earning back into education. What benefits are the poor students getting from these? The trusts should be asked to ensure that a certain percentage of students from the economically weaker sections of society are given admission before permission is given to set up a varsity,” he said.

Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka said that with the number of private universities increasing,there would be competition leading to a reduction in fees. He said that the policy to allow societies who have been involved in education for at least 10 years before they are given permission to set up a varsity enables quality control.