HP assembly passes private universities bill

Shimla, Apr 7 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Assembly today passed the HP Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2006, in amended form, paving the way for the setting up of private universities in the state.

The Bill was referred to the select committee on March 31 after the members pleaded that some of the clauses of the Bill have to be studied closely.

The select committee, in its report presented on April 5, suggested some amendments, which were incorporated in the Bill through official amendments before passing it today.

The amendments provide for 15 per cent reservation in seats for bonafide Himachalis in all courses, enhancement of endowment from Rs two crore to Rs three crore and from Rs 75 lakh to Rs one crore for universities to be established in the tribal areas of the state.

It also makes provision for the nomination of two members of the assembly, elected by the state legislature, on the governing body of the university.

The governing body would also have two government nominees, besides two eminent educationists and one expert of information technology.

The government would have a final say in determining the fee structures, proposed by the university and the same would be mentioned in the prospectus before the admission.

The fee structure would remain unchanged during the academic year.

The sponsors would be required to provide 1,000 sq metres of covered space and create all necessary infrastructure within three years, for getting recognition.

The first statutes of the university would have to be approved by the government and all other conditions laid by various regulatory bodies would be applicable on private universities.

The Assembly would simply pass a resolution for allowing the setting up of a new private university and no separate bill would have to be required for every university.

The Assembly also adopted another Bill, seeking to enhance the salaries of MLAs from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 per month and enhance the travel facilities by air, road or rail from 80,000 km to one lakh km.

The Bill also provided for waiving the upper limit of Rs 13,000 for the payment of pension to former legislators.

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