Shillong, sept 6: The state government on Friday tabled the Meghalaya Private Universities (Regulation of Establishment and Maintenance of Standard) Bill, 2019 for regulating the private universities to safeguard the interest of the student community in the state.

In his statement placed before the House during the first day of the autumn session here, education minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the Bill is proposed to repeal and replace the existing Act namely The Meghalaya Private Universities (Regulation of Establishment and Maintenance of Standard) Act, 2012.

He said the proposed Bill is required for regulating the private universities and to ensure that it is in conformity with the observations of the Supreme Court passed in case of Prof Yashpal-versus-State of Chattisgarh.

“The provisions of this Bill is for regulating private universities established under the Acts of the state government and also other private universities offering courses in India in collaboration with foreign universities, formal and non formal or distance education made by such private universities to ensure that such private universities maintain the standard of infrastructures, teaching, research, examination and extension and services, fee structure, safeguarding the interest of the state as a whole and in particular of the student community,” Rymbui said.

The Bill said land allotted to a private university will be revert back to the owner if it is non-functional within 2 years of establishment.

“For a private university established by a state Act and which is non-functional within two years of establishment, any land allotted, whether privately owned or on lease or otherwise, will revert back to the owner(s)/lessee(s) on terms and conditions agreed upon,” it said.

It also prohibit private university established by an Act of a state legislature to open any off-campus centre, study centre, regional centre and other similar centres -without the approval of the state government.

The government may also take action against a private university awarding a first degree and or post graduate degree or diploma which are not specified by the UGC or any other concerned statutory council.

It also seeks to constitute the Meghalaya Higher Education Council (MHEC) and a Regulatory Board, which will consist of a chairman and three members to be nominated by the government from eminent educationists of repute.

The role of the MHEC will be to assist the government on matters of policy relating to development of higher education and maintaining standards in higher education in the state.

The Regulatory Board on the other hand will periodically inspect all private universities and submit annual reports, which shall make specific recommendations for actions to be taken by the state government including imposition of penalty for any violation of relevant provisions laid down by the government.