Telangana may rush through with policy on private varsities

HYDERABAD: The state government is likely to expedite formalities to formulate policy for private universities in the coming days. According to government sources, the draft Bill is with the Chief Minister’s Office and will go to the Cabinet after approval. Thereafter it will be tabled in the Legislature.

Both the Telugu speaking states were on the same page as far as private universities were concerned, an year ago. AP passed the Bill on December 21, 2015, after which several top institutions applied to set up their campuses there. The state has cleared eight proposals including those from VIT, SRM, Amity, Centurion, Well-Tech, Great Lakes Institute and Maharashtra Institute of Technology.

An official said that in Telangana state, there were divisions on allowing private universities. While some were in favour of introducing a clause to ensure that the private university gives preference to local candidates in employment or admissions, a few others expressed the apprehension that top institutions might shy away if there are any riders.

“We wanted 25 per cent reservation for locals and economically weaker students in case private institutions seek exemption and subsidies from the government on land and taxes. The administration has every right to think about providing good education opportunities for its students,” an official said.

The opinion of the law department was sought. It said a few states were implementing reservations in the higher education sector and the authorities could go ahead if they felt so.

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, who looks after the education portfolio, said that Gujarat and Haryana were implementing reservations for locals and it should not be a problem if Telangana state took a similar call.

Educational institutions that are keen on giving opportunities to locals would definitely foray into the state, he felt. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will look at all scenarios and take a decision, Mr Srihari said. Sources said any delay would prove to be a disadvantage to the state since many leading universities had got permission to establish their campuses in the neighbouring state.