Key Takeaways
- The Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University was approved to boost tribal higher education in Telangana.
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the university’s role in preserving tribal art, culture and technology.
- The establishment aligns with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, ensuring regional aspirations are met.
New Delhi: The Parliament on Wednesday passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with Rajya Sabha clearing the legislation.
The bill paves way for setting up a central tribal university by the name of “Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University” in the state of Telangana.
The Upper House passed the bill by voice vote after discussion. Lok Sabha has already cleared the bill.
As many as 12 members in the House participated in the discussion on the bill and supported it.
Replying to the discussion on the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that establishment of tribal university would focus on tribal education.
During the reply, Pradhan rejected the charge of one of the members that the government was trying to re-write history books under new education policy.
He said that TMC member Dola Sen alleged that the government was re-writing history text-books but the fact was that the West Bengal government attempted to come up with its own education policy but has ended up copying 99% of the content of the Centre’s education policy.
The Minister further said that some other state governments are also trying to bring their own education policy but are going to take cue from the National Education Policy eventually.
Pradhan also dismissed the contention by some members that drop-out rate in higher education institutions in case of SC, ST and OBC students had increased.
“During the debate, concerns were raised about rising drop‑out rates among SC, ST and OBC students in higher education.
However, data shows that in the last five years, 2,66,433 general‑category students enrolled in IITs, with a drop‑out figure of 4,081 (1.53%). The drop‑out rates were 1.51% for OBC, 1.47% for SC, and 1.29% for ST students.
Participating in the discussion on the bill, Muzibulla Khan of BJD supported the bill but urged the government to set up a central tribal university in Odisha where tribal population was high.
As per statement of objects and reasons of the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, establishment of Central Tribal University in the State of Telangana will cater to the regional aspirations for years to come.
“It will increase access and quality of higher education and facilitate and promote higher education and research facilities for the people of the state. It will also promote advanced knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in tribal art, culture and customs and advancement in technology to the tribal population of India,” it says.
Establishment of a Central Tribal University in the State of Telangana is obligatory under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
Education Minister Pradhan said that had the Telangana government provided land in time, the proposed tribal university would have already taken shape.
