BCI opposes Centre's proposed bill on higher education

"In the garb of globalisation, the entire legal education system of the country is sought to be spoilt. Country will face consequences of such impractical schemes in next ten years," newly elected BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said.

Lawyers' body BCI also threatened to go on a nation-wide protest against the HER Bill, if it is being passed without its consent.

The Bill seeks to establish a National Commission on Higher Education and Research (NCHER), Mishra said adding that the proposed commission would be an "overarching body" to regulate university education including the legal eduction.

The Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry wants to usurp the power of the apex body of lawyers to make entry of foreign institutions and law firms easier, he said.

"Such steps are beneficial only for handful of elite and corporate class lawyers," he said.

The government has not come to the rescue of lawyers as so far nothing has been done for the welfare, security and uplift of advocates.

"The area of legal education is one where urgent steps need to be taken to ensure that law students receive sufficient training to deal with the rapidly evolving practise of law in India and abroad," he said.

He further said that the HER Bill, 2011 is "ultra-vires" as the Centre lacked the legislative competence as the profession was being guided by the Advocates Act. (More)