Prez address in parliament may contain 'big ticket' reforms in

President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to announce some "big ticket" reforms and programmes for the education sector during his address to the joint session of parliament next Monday.
The address could, among other things, reflect the broad agenda of the Narendra Modi government for the sector, especially the roadmap in higher education to strengthen quality and faculty positions, senior officials in the HRD Ministry said.
Indications are that Smriti Irani, who is holding wide-range of consultations with ministry officials and different stakeholders to put in place her party's vision, might unveil the government's initiative following the President's address.
"Some big ticket announcements are on the cards in the Presidential address," the officials said.

They also indicated that his address might contain some reforms initiative to strengthen the quality of higher education at the university level and steps to put premier institutes such as IITs among the top in global ranking list.
A reference to the controversial four-year undergraduate programme of Delhi University is also not being ruled out.

Amid a raging debate over the fate of the programme, the Delhi University Teacher's Association (DUTA) feels the President, as the visitor to the University, can make amendments to rules governing a central university even if it enjoys autonomous status.
The President's speech could also have a reference to some of the promises BJP had made in its manifesto.

They include development and establishment of national e-library and implementation of national education policy.
The manifesto had also sought to transform UGC into a higher education commission.