Central Tribal University in Telangana approved by CUA Bill

RSD- Telangana news: The Lok Sabha on 7th December 2023 passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with voice vote. The Bill amends the Central Universities Act, 2009, which establishes central universities for teaching and research in various states. The Bill seeks to establish a Central Tribal University in Telangana which will be named as ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’. It will provide avenues of higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of India. Replying to a debate on the bill in the House, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’ will be constructed at an expenditure of around 900 crore rupees. Responding to members’s query, the Minister said that the delay in setting up this university happened because the Telangana Government took time in identifying the place for this institution. Comparing from 2014, the Minister said that 81 per cent growth was witnessed in the registration in Ph.D course by the students from the year 2014-15 to 2021-22 and the number has reached over two lakh. He informed that registration of women in Ph.D course increased by 106 per cent during the same time. Speaking about recruitments in higher institutions, Mr. Pradhan said that the government is working in a mission-mode to fill up the vacancies in higher education institutes. He informed that in the last two months, out of around 18 thousand vacant posts, over 11 thousand posts have been filled up. He also informed that government is making mandatory for all higher institutions for NAAC accreditations.
 
Earlier, participating in the discussion, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy stressed the need to impart quality education to the students to make them employable. He said, there is a need to improve the quality of education in Universities. Kodikunnil Suresh of Congress demanded the government to fill up the vacancies reserved for SCs and STs in higher education institutes and universities. Another party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of Congress said that education is the key determinant for the growth and development of tribal population. He sought to know from the government about the current gross enrolment ratio of tribals in the higher educations. Rahul Shewale of Shiv Sena supported the bill saying that the proposed tribal university will fulfil the regional aspirations. He appreciated the Narendra Modi government for taking steps for the welfare of OBCs, SCs and STs. He also requested the government to set up a National Tribal University in Maharashtra. Hasnain Masoodi of National Conference supported the bill saying that it aims at setting up a Central Tribal University in Telangana. Syed imtiaz Jaleel of AIMIM said that it is a welcome move but expressed concern that none of the university features among the top 200 position at global level. Other members from the political parties including Jagdambika Pal of BJP, Ritesh Pathak of BSP, A M Arif of CPI(M) and K Ram Mohan Naidu of TDP participated in the discussion.