Private univs bill to include quota clause State education department to submit fresh draft of bill after governor suggests changes

Private univs bill to include quota clause

State education department to submit fresh draft of bill after governor suggests changes

The state education department has decided to include reservation and provide a fresh draft of the Maharashtra Self Financed Universities (Establishment & Regulation) bill to the cabinet after the governor suggested changes in the bill which was approved by the state legislature in August last year. Minister of state for higher and technical education DP Sawant said, “The governor has suggested certain changes in the bill. We will incorporate those changes and then present it before the cabinet.” Several organisations had earlier demanded that reservation should be included in the bill to maintain social balance in private universities. The Congress had opposed the bill and insisted on having quotas to ensure representation of the economically backward. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Manikrao Thakre had also opposed the bill in its present format and insisted for changes to accommodate disadvantaged groups. The bill was in the pipeline for the last few years and was finally passed in the legislature last year. It was meant to pave the way for setting up of private universities in the field of engineering, technology, management, business and commerce and offers universities an autonomous status with minimum regulatory interference in their formation and functioning. Minister for higher and technical education Rajesh Tope said, “We will include reservations and present a fresh draft before the cabinet. We will try to present it in the next session of the legislature.” Several private players and industrialists had expressed interest in setting up private universities in Maharashtra. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries had expressed his interest to the minister. So had some film stars and businessmen. Around 18 states in India have allowed the private sector to set up universities.