Law on foreign varsities likely; Centre keen on decision

New Delhi: The Modi government is understood to be keen on preparing a Bill which allows foreign varsities to open shop in the country. The step comes soon after T.S.R. Subramanian committee submitting a new education policy draft last week to the Human Resource Development Ministry.

Sources stated that the Bill is expected to seek inspiration from UPA government’s proposed Foreign Universities Bill, which could not be passed by the last government.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on implementation of reforms in all sectors, the Bill is expected to be on the high priority list of the BJP government.

The Bill’s earlier version was mooted under the then HRD Minister Kapil Sibal during UPA-2 regime. The Foreign Education Bill was part of UPA government’s proposal to revamp the entire higher education  system.

The entry of foreign players, despite provision for safeguards, has been  facing stiff opposition from the RSS and the Left, who have objected to  foreign players entering the education market.

The earlier Bill had faced opposition as it was felt by a section of  political leadership that it could spawn the growth of sub-standard private foreign universities in the country.

After facing stiff opposition, the proposal was put on a back burner as it was  sent for detailed study by the parliamentary committee on HRD. The proposal could not be revived as the UPA government did not have the  requisite numbers to get it cleared in the Rajya Sabha.

The last government was unable to push through most of its education reform measures which had led to lapsing of about a dozen odd Bills or several of them getting stuck at various stages in the legislative process.