Rajya Sabha passes Central University (Amendment) Bill 2019

The upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha has passed the Central University (Amendment) Bill 2019, according to media reports. The Bill which seeks to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009, which establishes universities for teaching and research in various states was passed by the Lok Sabha last week on Friday.

The Bill provides for the establishment of two central universities in Andhra Pradesh to be known as the Central University of Andhra Pradesh and the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh. The Central Tribal University will take additional measures to provide higher educational and research facilities in tribal art, culture, and customs primarily to the tribal population of India. The establishment of a Central University and a Central Tribal University in the Andhra Pradesh is obligatory under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Replying to a debate on the bill last week, Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, the Universities will be set up with a cost of 1700 crore rupees in four years in Andhra Pradesh. He said, in the first phase, 450 crore rupees will be provided for the Central University and 420 crore rupees for the Central Tribal University.