Kerala Increased Training Minister R Bindu on Thursday stated that the state will discover authorized choices out there in opposition to the draft UGC laws proposed by the centre.
Responding to a query from IUML member Abid Hussain Thangal, she emphasised the necessity for a united resistance in opposition to the draft laws. (Photograph by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photograph)
Responding to a question raised by CPI(M) chief M V Govindan MLA concerning the draft College Grants Fee (UGC) regulations-2025 in the course of the Query Hour within the Meeting, Bindu stated that the UGC allocates solely meagre funds for the upper training sector.
She added that the state authorities would discover the opportunity of a authorized battle in opposition to the draft laws for violating Constitutional provisions.
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“The Higher Education Department will convene a National Education Convention on February 20 in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the protest against the draft. Education ministers from other states will also participate,” she stated.
Bindu added that the Kerala Meeting had unanimously handed a decision on January 21 urging the Centre to withdraw the draft UGC regulations-2025 and introduce a revised set of tips solely after thorough consultations with state governments and educational consultants. The decision was then forwarded to the Centre, she stated.
She additional acknowledged that the federal government had appointed a five-member committee headed by economist Prabhat Patnaik to analyse the draft laws. The committee carried out a preliminary research and submitted its suggestions.
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“Based on this the state government conveyed its protest to the Union government and the UGC demanding the withdrawal of the draft on February 3,” she added.
She alleged that the UGC is at the moment working opposite to the aims for which it was established.
“The term ‘Grants’ in the UGC has become meaningless as it has discontinued several scholarships and fellowships including the Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme (MANF) for minority students,” she stated.
Responding to a query from IUML member Abid Hussain Thangal, she emphasised the necessity for a united resistance in opposition to the draft laws.
In line with her, the draft primarily displays the ruling occasion’s ‘saffronisation’ agenda because it proposes appointments—from Vice Chancellors to assistant professors—with out prioritising educational excellence and expertise.
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