DNA Follow-Up: Maharashtra govt watchdog for private, self-financed varsities

The state government will be setting up an independent regulatory body on the lines of Securities and Exchange Board of India to regularise fee structure and admission procedure of private and self-financed universities.

The decision to this effect is likely to be taken in the Maharashtra cabinet meeting on Thursday.

DNA reported in its edition dated 04. 10.2018 that state minister for Higher and Technical Education Ravindra Waikar wrote to the Chancellor and state governor C Vidyasagar Rao and subsequently Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about several instances of varsities engaging in exploitative activities.

Sources in aforementioned department confirmed that a proposal to set up a regulatory authority to discuss this issue was on the agenda for Thursday's meeting. "Apart from the regulator, there will be a local independent panel at every private and self-financed university which will comprise retired high court judges, educational experts, chartered accountants and Padma awardees," sources said.

They will be responsible for resolving issues at the local level. "If parents and students are not satisfied with the panel, they have the recourse to approach the regulatory body," says an official.

The body will also regulate state universities. "Maharashtra Public Universities Act 2016 will be amended to pave the way for setting up of this independent regulatory body," an official said, "We want to bring some parity in the fee structures of various universities. Besides, these varsities should not be allowed to work in such an arbitrary fashion. This will help us bring transparency in the education sector." As many as 13 universities in Maharashtra have been granted the status of self-financed universities vide notification issued on May 29, 2013.

Waikar, who has been following up the issue with both the governor and the CM, welcomed the move, saying, "I am grateful to the Governor and the Chief Minister for taking this issue to its logical end. We will streamline the system and teach errant management of private and self-financed universities a lesson. This decision will have long term positive effect and benefit students."