Odisha government introduces universities bill amid protests
BHUBANESWAR: The contentious Odisha Universities (amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the assembly on Tuesday by higher education minister Arun Sahoo amid opposition from members of the BJP and the Congress. The oppositions MLAs alleged the legislation will take away the autonomy of state-run universities and lead to excess government interference.
Senior Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati also tore a copy of the bill in the House. Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said the bill is unconstitutional and encroaches upon the rights of the Centre, as explained in the concurrent list of the Constitution. Mishra, a noted lawyer, said the state assembly has no right to introduce the bill. “What was the extraordinary circumstances which necessitated the promulgation of the universities ordinance during a time like this?” Mishra asked.
The Congress veteran alleged that through the bill, the government is trying to take control of state-run universities.
“The quality of higher education will deteriorate. The future of our students will be in danger if the bill gets passed,” said Mishra.
BJP MLA Mukesh Mahaling also opposed the bill, saying it contradicts the UGC Acts and regulations. “Educationists are strongly opposing the proposed legislation. It will lead to a fall in the standard of higher education in the state,” Mahaling said.
The BJP leader opposed the provision of central recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff by Odisha Public Service Commission and state selection board, respectively. He condemned the involvement of the regional director of higher education in matters related to the universities, as proposed in the bill.
The government promulgated the universities ordinance on September 4 aiming to bring all state-run universities under one law. Some controversial provisions in the bill, which has faced opposition from educationists, include abolition of the senate and inclusion of state government nominee in selection of vice-chancellors.
The amendments also has provision to increase the tenure of vice-chancellors from three to four years and enhancement of upper age limit for holding the office of vice-chancellor.
In his statement, the state higher education minister rubbished the charges made by the opposition that the bill will reduce the autonomy of the universities.
“I want to clarify that the bill will rather increase the autonomy of the universities. Misinformation is being spread about the bill, which I will clarify in detail during the discussion. Since the number of state-run universities have increased from four to 14 over the years, we need one legislation to run the universities,” said Sahoo.