CPI(M) lashes out at Himachal Govt over private varsities

The Himachal Pradesh unit of CPI(M) has strongly deplored the state government for remaining a "mute and meek" spectator towards alleged malfunctioning of private universities, and warned it against following the footsteps of the erstwhile BJP government.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), on the directions of the high court, had severely indicted the functioning of these universities but the government is in deep slumber and totally insensitive towards the plight of students and faculty members, deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation and CPI(M) state secretariat member Tikender Panwar said.
He said that the HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission has virtually become a white elephant with no jaws and teeth, and despite the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the validity of the commission, the government has not armed it with more powers.

Both the previous BJP and present Congress governments went all out for sale of education to commercial entrepreneurs which will prove highly perilous for the state in the long run, he added.
The CPI(M) said the present government is no better than its predecessor as far as the education sector is concerned and the actions of the government have given an impetus to these institutions and created a situation where they are free to indulge in unscrupulous activities.
He said the party was shocked to hear about the joining of a former state Governor as a pro-chancellor in one of the private universities.

Panwar said, "It is a pity that a person who has been holding the charge of the Governor who by default becomes the Chancellor of all the universities in the state has opted to work under the dictates of the private companies in the garb of educational trusts.