Bill on 2 new pvt varsities in Punjab to be tabled today, but no focus on regulatory mechanism
Even as the Punjab Government is scheduled to table a Bill in the Assembly on Friday to grant university status to two more higher-education institutions, the ruling dispensation appears to be going slow on regulatory mechanism for private universities.
The Cabinet, in its July 8 meeting, approved new private universities — CGC Jhanjeri (Mohali) and Rayat Bahra, Hoshiarpur — taking the total tally to 19. Another six more private universities are in the pipeline. Private universities in the state are set up under the Punjab Private Universities Act.
To regulate seats, fee and attendance of students, the previous Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government had prepared a draft of the proposed regulatory body “Punjab Educational Institute Regulatory Authority" that would also have powers to penalise and conduct inspections of the institutions.
Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who recently directed officials to expedite the processing of proposals from private colleges seeking university status, said the regulatory body model in states like Himachal Pradesh had not been very successful. “A committee under a vice-chancellor had been set up to study different models before suggesting realistic monitoring guidelines,” he said.
While technical colleges are regulated by central councils such as AICTE, Pharmacy Council of India, Dental Council of India, and state-affiliated universities like IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University, Bathinda, the private universities are autonomous bodies and can run courses that do not require recognition of the AICTE.
At present, the state policy lays down no rules empowering the government to regulate or monitor the private universities thus created after they are enacted.
“Leave apart putting a cap on the number of students in universities, the government has even failed to ascertain the number of students admitted to each university,” said a senior government functionary.
On the other hand, private universities have been opposing the regulatory body. Rashpal Dhaliwal, Chairman, Chandigarh Group of College (CGC), whose institution has been granted approval to convert the Jhanjeri college into a university, contended that their functioning was already being monitored by central regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission. With quality education and requisite infrastructure, we maintain standards”.
The chancellor of a private university in Malwa said the proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) that aims to replace the UGC and AICTE would outline the regulatory framework for higher education. The main objectives include improving standards, enhancing accreditation processes, and ensuring effective monitoring of institutions.
Punjab