Legislation proposed for setting up private varsities in Bihar
To expand infrastructure for higher education in Bihar, the state government is finalising a draft legislation to clear the deck for setting up private universities.

 Replying to a debate on Rs 18,280 crore budget of the education department in the assembly today, Education Minister P K Shahi said the state government was of the view that there was need for private investment in education sector for creation of quality infrastructure and academic facilities for the students amid constraints of resources at its hands.

It has decided to allow private universities to cater to the growing number of aspiring students.

 The draft legislation may be tabled in the assembly during the budget session itself and once the private universities bill comes into force, a number of reputed private institutions like Manipal and Amity Universities will set up their centres in Bihar to meet the aspirations of quality education, he said.

 With the government being at loggerheads with Governor Devanand Konwar in his capacity as the chancellor of the state universities, Shahi lambasted the UPA government at the Centre for the ''shoddy state of affairs'' in them as it has been in the habit of not consulting the government over the appointment of the vice-chancellors and pro vice-chancellors.

“The chancellor (governor) has not been consulting the state government as mandated under law on appointment of the VCs and Pro-VCs of the state universities make it difficult for the government to fix accountability for the state of affairs in the higher education institutions,” he said.