Irani meets VCs, proposes single legislation for central univs

HRD Minister Smriti Irani today met the vice-chancellors of 39 central universities at Chandigarh and discussed among others a single legislation to govern all central varsities.
"The proposal was presented before the VCs and their comments have been sought to take it forward," officials said.
The Chandigarh meeting comes after Irani had held similar interactions with directors of IITs and IIMs.
The two-day retreat is also being attended by Delhi University vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh, who is believed to be not in good terms with the Ministry following the scrapping of the four-year undergraduate programme of the varsity.
A host of items are listed for deliberations including faculty shortage facing the central universities and the need to seek mandatory accreditation.

The report of the A M Pathan Committee, which has proposed a single legislation, was presented at before the vice-chancellors even as some of the established universities have expressed reservations about taking the proposal ahead.

At present, each of the central university is governed by its own Act passed by Parliament.
The older universities are of the view that the proposed legislation will compromise on the autonomous status enjoyed by them and rob them of their unique character.
The ambitious national e-library project is also listed for deliberation, under which there would be an online portal with content from the IITs, IIMs, CBSE and NCERT. Developing rural technology and their dissemination are also a part of the agenda item.