LS Passes Bill to Set Up Tribal University in TS

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a bill to establish the Sammakka  Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu in Telangana. The Centre has made provision of Rs 889.7 crore for the university.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the setting up of the university at a recent election-related meeting in the state. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by a voice vote with the  House rejecting some amendments moved by Opposition members.

The bill was passed after a reply to the debate by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The minister said the university will cater to the regional. It will increase access and quality of higher education and  facilitate and promote higher education.

It will also provide research facilities for the people of the state, he said. The university is being established in pursuance of the commitments made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. 

The Central Universities Act, 2009 was enacted to establish and incorporate universities for teaching and research in various states. The law is tweaked from time to time. It will also promote advanced knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in tribal art, culture and customs and advancement in technology to the tribal population of India.

"Apart from bringing focus to tribal education, the central tribal university shall carry out all educational and other activities like any other central university," read the bill.