New Delhi: Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal’s reform plans aimed at punishing higher educational institutions that cheat students has been refused by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD. The committee has refused to take up a fundamental proposed legislation.
The panel said it could not mull over the Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Education Bill 2010, till the HRD ministry explains its point on proposal. However, the standing committee had made on another proposed legislation - the Education Tribunals Bill.
As per sources, the standing committee is headed by leading Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and has Rahul Gandhi as a member. Moreover, Sibal was criticized by both the Opposition and Congress MP K. Keshava Rao in the Rajya Sabha, and was forced to postpone the Education Tribunals Bill to the next session.
The Education Tribunals Bill was reintroduced in the Parliament by the ministry, without adding in any of the panel’s recommendations, citing charges of ignoring the standing committee’s views. Also, the ministry officials have since been hoping that they would be able to persuade Parliament to approve the passage of the Education Tribunals Bill, during the winter session.
In addition, the Unfair Practices Bill and two other reform Bills refer to the tribunals that are to be set up through the Educational Tribunals Bill, which is therefore the essential legislation for Sibal’s modification. However, on September 24, 2010, the standing committee told HRD ministry officials that it would not even think about the Unfair Practices Bill till the Educational Tribunals Bill is passed, or the HRD ministry clarifies what if any changes it plans to bring to that Bill following the opposition in Rajya Sabha.
By the time, the panel clears the Unfair Practices Bill, it cannot be taken up by Parliament for discussion and passing. The two other reform Bills that refer to Educational Tribunals are also before the House panel, which is now anticipated to likewise reject to take them up.
