Himachal Assembly passes amendment bill to deal with irregularities in private universities

Shimla, 7 September: In a significant move to enhance oversight of private universities in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has passed the Himachal Pradesh Private Education Institutions Amendment Bill 2024. According to the new law, the annual reports and financial accounts of these institutions must be submitted to the state assembly.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur announced that the bill passed on Friday aims to improve transparency and accountability in the 16 private universities operating in the state. “This amendment will ensure better monitoring of financial activities and overall supervision of private universities,” Thakur said.

The bill received approval from the Subordinate Legislation Committee, which stressed the need for the regulatory commission and the full audit report of private universities to be placed before the assembly. The measure will enable members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) to closely monitor and ensure the quality and accountability of these institutions.

The Himachal Pradesh Private Education Institutions Regulatory Commission, recently set up to monitor private universities, will be responsible for preparing the annual reports and accounts of each university and submitting them to the state government. The government will then table these documents in the assembly.

The move is aimed at addressing growing concerns over the functioning of private universities in Himachal Pradesh, which have been accused of serious irregularities including the issuance of fake degrees. The amendment is expected to ensure strict regulation and greater transparency in the administration and academic activities of these universities.

The 16 private universities affected by the law include APG Shimla University, Arni University, Abhilashi University, Baddi University, Bahra University, Shri Sai University, ICFAI University, Chitkara University, Indus International University, MMU University, Shoolini University, MBU, Career Point University, IEC University, Maharaja Agrasen University and Eternal University.

Fake degree scam in Himachal Pradesh private universities
The issue of fake degrees has been a serious concern in Himachal Pradesh. In 2013, a major fake degree scam came to light, involving several private universities in the state. These universities were accused of awarding degrees to students without them attending classes or taking exams. The investigation revealed that thousands of students across India were awarded degrees through unauthorized distance learning programmes. The scandal raised widespread concerns about the integrity and quality of education at these institutions, leading to stricter regulatory measures.

The new bill passed in the Himachal Assembly seeks to curb such malfeasance by increasing monitoring and making universities accountable to the public through regular reporting and financial transparency. The government aims to restore confidence in the state’s higher education system, while ensuring that students receive genuine degrees based on proper academic standards.