Cong and BSP protest State Universities Bill

Dehra Dun, May 16 (UNI) Opposition Congress and BSP MLAs today tied black bands and maintained a resolute silence in the Uttarakhand assembly as a mark of protest against the state government's move to implement the Uttarakhand State Universities Bill.

The Uttarakhand assembly was thrown in a state of disarray for the first time on Tuesday with Opposition legislators toppling chairs and tables and preventing the select committee's report on the Bill to be tabled in the House.

As soon as the House assembled this morning, Speaker Harbans Kapur initiated a discussion on the episode under Rule 65. BJP leader Munna Singh demanded that the legislators responsible for throwing the house in turmoil be brought to book.

Mr Singh said the disregard of the House was an "unfortunate incident which would always be remembered as a black day for the state." Teachers of the Kumoan and Garhwal Universities have also been voicing stiff opposition to the Bill and have demanded that it be remodelled on the pattern of the UGC model act.

They have also accused the Khanduri government of trying to rob the autonomy of the Uiversities as the Bill envisages the appointment of Vice-Chancellors by the government instead of the Governor.

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