DMK to protest bill replacing UGC in RS

Remarking that the proposed Higher Education Commission Bill being pushed by the Centre would have more devastating effects than demonetisation in the country and its higher education sector, Stalin said that the Bill would only help close universities and colleges functioning under them in non-BJP ruled states.

Taking strong exception to the provisions of the Bill, specifically the one detailing the composition of the 14-member Higher Education Commission, which would not have a single representative from states, he said the draft Bill makes it amply clear that the Commission would only be a puppet of the Centre.  Claiming that the Commission would not have powers to order allocation of funds to universities, but it would be empowered to derecognise varsities and prescribe qualification for all posts, from vice chancellor to the lowest grade, Stalin, said the Centre was keen on introducing the Higher Education Commission Bill only to usurp the rights of states on education.  Urging the states to immediately repeal the Bill, Stalin cautioned that his party would mobilise other parties and fight against the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Recalling the reply of state Higher Education Minister KP Anbazhagan in the Assembly that they would elicit the views of vice chancellors of 13 varsities and forward the same to the Centre, Stalin said that CM Edappadi K Palaniswami had subsequently sent a letter to the Centre opposing the Commission without revealing if the VC’s views were elicited.

Stalin also said that it was disturbing to note that the AIADMK had not taken an assurance on not implementing the HECI before its 37 MPs voted in favour of NDA during the no confidence motion.