Kerala to bring new private university bill, controversial provisions to be dropped

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government will introduce a new Bill to establish private universities in the state, with controversial provisions, including the reservation of 40% of seats for students permanently residing in Kerala, likely to be dropped. The Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly in March last year was sent by the Governor to the President for consideration. The government is now planning to withdraw the Bill and introduce a fresh one during the Assembly session in October. Kerala is the only state in the country without a private university.

The Assembly's Subject Committee had pointed out that the provision for a 40% Kerala quota could be unconstitutional in view of the Supreme Court's ruling in a postgraduate medical admission case that domicile should not be made a criterion for admission.

The earlier Bill also contained provisions for reservation for Scheduled categories, fee concessions and scholarships, which were not available in other states. These provisions are likely to be dropped from the new Bill.

Another provision allowing private universities to add any number of colleges located anywhere in Kerala as off-campus centres is also likely to be removed as it is contrary to UGC regulations. Under the proposed changes, off-campus centres can be opened only after the university has completed five years of operation.

The private universities will be multidisciplinary institutions offering courses in disciplines such as engineering, law, pharmacy and paramedical studies.

The government may also relax the earlier requirement that trusts, agencies and groups seeking to establish private universities should have Rs 25 crore deposited in the treasury and 10 acres of land.

Reservation for backward classes

• A parliamentary committee has recommended bringing in legislation to provide reservation for backward classes in admissions to private universities.
• It has recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), 15% for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Backward-class reservation is not currently available in aided and self-financing arts and science colleges.
• Government colleges provide 20% reservation for OBCs. Backward-class reservation is also available in the self-financing sector for engineering and medical courses.