AP to get private varsities soon
Private University Bill likely to get state Cabinet approval by May
Andhra Pradesh is set to become the second state in South India with private universities with the government readying the Private Universities Bill.
Setting up varsities will not be just about money as the government intends to allow only consortiums to set up private universities. Though the draft legislation has been in the making for some time, officials said it has only been readied now and is expected to be approved in the Cabinet meet in April end or the first week of May.
Private universities are a feature mostly in north Indian states with Karnataka being the only South Indian state to allow them. These are different from deemed universities in that they are established as a full fledged university while deemed universities are only granted the status by the University Grants Commission.
But while other states’ legislations allow a society or a trust to setup a private university, the AP government intends not to allow single entities to setup institutions fearing private universities may mushroom and could become difficult to control.
“Generally a single society or trust can set up private universities. Our legislation will allow only a consortium of different entities who come together to setup the university,” a senior AP State Council of Higher Education official said.
“The problem is that anyone who has `100 crore will be able to start a private university. But we don’t want the mushrooming of institutions without standards. One big group will not be enough. Multiple has to come together and contribute funds for the setting of the university,” the official said.
AP has 21 state universities apart from five deemed varsities. Also, the status of university will be granted by the state after the requisite infrastructure and amenities are provided.
“In several cases, the government gives a society time of five years or more to create infrastructure but for private universities, everything should be ready,” another official of the AP higher education department said.
In 2005, the Supreme Court had given a ruling on this. Officials said that a final review of the Bill is being undertaken and will be placed for Cabinet approval in its meeting scheduled to be held after the one on Wednesday.