Punjab Govt. Takes Steps to Regulate Private Universities

Chief Minister of Punjab, Capitan Amarinder Singh has constituted a three-member cabinet subcommittee under the leadership of Health and Medical Education Minister, Mr. Brahm Mohindra to study the models and understand the procedures of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in regulating the private universities. The Punjab government received recommendations and requests from both supporting and opposition parties to set up a regulator.

Education Minister of Punjab, Aruna Chaudhary and Technical Education Minister, Charanjit Singh are the members of the panel. Recently, Charanjit has been to Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to study their models and procedures in regulating private universities.

The suggestion to study the models of these two states was given by Advocate General, Mr. Atul Nanda. According to him, the Supreme Court upheld the legislation of these two states. He was not in favour of studying the model of Himachal Pradesh, as it was struck down by its High Court. Currently, the legislation of Himachal Pradesh is pending in the Supreme Court. Therefore, Mr. Atul Nanda preferred the models of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

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Adding further, Mr. Atul Nanda mentioned that education falls under ‘Concurrent List’, and central laws prevail over that of state. The Punjab law should not derogate the central law. The Punjab Act may also need the approval of Governor and finally the President of India.

The Punjab government promises greater autonomy for state universities, while also promising to constitute a regulator. The commission will act as both facilitator and regulator. All the private universities have to comply with norms, and the state government will not allow any private universities to treat education as a business.