Minister cites Oppn from UPA to Foreign Varsity Bill delay

Chennai, Mar 7 (UNI) Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said ideological differences among constituents of the UPA at the Centre prevented the tabling of the Bill allowing foreign universities into India.

Speaking after the inaugural of the 'Global reach through foreign faculty and students,' at the SRM University in suburban Kattankalathur, Mr Ravi said, 'The Foreign Education Providers Bill' was readied by the Union HRD Ministry last year.

''It was ready last year itself. But due to some opposition from political parties within the UPA, it could not be tabled in Parliament,'' he said.

On the nature of differences, he said ''they are only ideological.

We are working on it to arrive at a consensus.'' ''After arriving at a consensus among the UPA and the coalition partners, it will be tabled in Parliament. The Bill is aimed at encouraging collaboration between universities in India and abroad to improve the quality of higher education.

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