Doors open to private varsities in Telangana

​Hyderabad: Decks have been cleared for the setting up of private universities in the state with the Assembly passing a bill in this regard on Wednesday amid protests and walkout by the opposition parties.  

The Assembly passed the Telangana State Private Universities Bill, 2018 with a voice vote after a hot discussion. The Telugu Desam, BJP and CPM members have protested non-provision of reservations to BCs, SCs, STs and minorities in the private universities and staged a walkout. The CPM opposed the bill tooth and nail. 

The BJP and TDP members demanded that the government send the bill to a select committee as in-depth study is needed on the consequences arising out of the implementation of the Private Universities Act.

The Opposition also decried lack of faculty and infrastructure in the state universities and wanted to know why they could not be strengthened on par with the private universities. They made it clear that there was no need for setting up of private universities in the state. 

The MIM, which supported the bill, demanded the government to provide reservations to the weaker sections’ students and permission for establishing minority private universities. TRS MLA J Venkat Rao wanted the government to introduce international technology in state professional institutions. 

However, the government rejected the arguments of the Opposition and said the establishment of private universities has been allowed to provide skills to the students of Telangana to face the global level completion. Private universities would bring in new courses and the thrust would be on research. 

Replying to the discussion on the bill, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Education Kadiam Srihari said the government has been endeavoring to develop Telangana in all spheres. Hyderabad has been witnessing a massive growth and many want to come to the city to invest. 

He said that several private organizations have come forward to establish universities in Telangana. All the states, except Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Kerala and a few Union Territories too have allowed establishment of private universities. Andhra Pradesh has also allowed private universities and 11 institutions have come forward to set up universities there. 

He said the government would insist on having endowment fund for the private universities and no government land would be given to them. The Deputy CM made it clear that the interest of the poorer sections would be protected at any cost and the government universities would be strengthened. The 1061 vacancies in the government universities would be filled by July this year. The government has sanctioned about Rs 450 crore for creating infrastructure in the state universities. 

He said the government has been sponsoring students of downtrodden communities of the state to go to foreign countries to pursue higher studies by spending Rs 20 lakh on each one. Now with the establishment of private universities education with international standards could be achieved in Telangana.