Capt Amarinder said that the move was not aimed at interference but only to strengthen higher education in the state

Friday, 27/10/2017

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=182454&boxid=59300&uid=&dat=2017-10-27

Jalandhar : Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday categorically denied overruling the recommendations of the Advocate General (AG) to set up a regulator for the universities in the state.

The CM said that the move was in line with the legal advice given by AG Atul Nanda and was aimed at strengthening the higher education system in the state.

Contrary to what was claimed in a report appearing in a section of media, AG Atul Nanda has clearly and unequivocally recommended enactment of legislation by the state to provide for a State Regulator for the universities, the CM shared on Thursday.

Captain Amarinder emphasised that there was no ‘overruling’ of the AG, nor was there any ‘opposition from within’, as mentioned in a media report.

Talking to the media, the CM said, “The government did not intend to interfere in any way in the higher education institutions and universities. We only want to ensure quality education and better employable scenario for the students.”

Captain Amarinder said that there are several deemed universities and private institutions in the state which do not find favour with corporates in terms of campus placement, necessitating steps to upgrade their educational standards.

The CM pointed out that the media report in question itself has quoted the concerned minister as saying that the “the government has decided to go ahead with the proposal.” “This statement clearly indicated that the proposal by the AG favoured setting up the regulator,” he added.

The AG in his report to the Chief Minister, has clearly recommended that “the State may enact legislation providing for a State Regulator” with care being taken that there is no conflict with the powers and functions of institutions constituted under Central enactments. “How this can be construed to mean that the AG was not in favour of a regulator for universities was unfathomable,” he said.

The CM said that as suggested by the AG, a regulatory for universities was essential to protect the interests of the students and to ensure that higher education institutions are not managed and operated like teaching shops.

Lack of accountability in matters of admissions, fee structure, number of seats, quality of teaching staff and research standards were serious ills afflicting the universities and needed to be addressed if the students were to be provided quality education to make them employable and successful in life, he emphasised