Govt gives nod to Educational Tribunals Bill

A mechanism to provide for speedy resolution of matters relating to disputes in institutions of higher education was cleared by the Union Cabinet here today.

A meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave its nod to the Educational Tribunals Bill 2010 which seeks to set up a two-tier structure of Educational Tribunals at the national and state level to adjudicate on the entire gamut of disputes that arise in the higher education system, sources said.

The tribunals will act as forums for fast-track and speedy resolution of issues in institutions in order to build an effective system of checks and balances in higher education.

The state tribunals will adjudicate matters concerning teachers, employees and students of institutions in the respective states.

The national tribunal would deal with all matters concerning regulatory bodies in higher education and also matters involving institutes located in two or more states.

The Bill also provides for imprisonment up to three years or fine of Rs ten lakh or with both to those who fails to comply with the orders of the State or the National Educational Tribunals.

 The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier, was referred to the concerned Parliamentary Standing Committee for its scrutiny.

Sources said that the Bill is likely to be considered and passed in this session.

The passage of this Bill was important to take up other educational reforms Bills like Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill, 2010 and National Accreditation Authority Bill.