Govt contemplating bill on foreign universities: Sibal

Amid criticism of his 100-day agenda, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today said the government is contemplating a bill on allowing foreign universities, but would move carefully and through consensus.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, he said India needs to become a world class educational hub for which "we need to access" global institutions.

"I hope to send it (Foreign University Bil) to the Cabinet", he said in the Rajya Sabha, adding that the bill will be brought to Parliament whenever there is consensus.

Addressing concerns of members on primary education sector, the minister said the bill on right to education would be introduced in the current session of Parliament.

Referring to the complaints about deemed universities, Sibal said his ministry has ordered a freeze on fresh grants and has set up a committee to see whether UGC norms and other guidelines were followed by them. As many as 62 deemed universities have sprung up in the last five years.

"These universities are flourishing," he said adding the government has no problem on "commercialisation" as long as the institutions are providing excellent education.

Sibal has faced criticism after he announced plans for wide-ranging reforms including, including making the 10th class board exam as optional.