The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed the Private Universities Bill, aimed at expanding higher education opportunities across the Union Territory.The legislation is expected to pave the way for the establishment of private universities in the region, strengthening the overall higher education infrastructure and increasing academic options for students.
According to the Office of the Chief Minister, the bill seeks to promote access to quality education within Jammu and Kashmir and reduce the need for students to move outside the Union Territory for higher studies. It also aims to attract reputed institutions to invest in the region.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Education Minister Sakina Itoo and other stakeholders on the successful passage of the bill. “The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed the Private Universities Bill today, marking a significant step towards shaping brighter future for our youth…”, Omar said on his X account. Besides Education Minister Sakina Itoo, CM Omar congratulated all stakeholders on the passage of what he described as ‘landmark legislation”. The Bill he added is expected to open new avenues for quality higher education within J&K and reduce the need for students to move outside the region . It will also attract reputed institutions to invest in J&K, he further remarked.
The government stated that the move is part of its broader efforts to enhance educational access and create more opportunities for students, positioning Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging hub for higher learning.The Bill moved by Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo read, “A Bill to provide for the establishment and incorporation of Private Universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and to regulate their functioning, management, and academic standards for ensuring quality education and protecting the interests of students”.
Speaking about the Bill, the Education Minister said that the Government has taken into consideration all the issues and concerns regarding Higher Education sector in Jammu and Kashmir before formulation of this Bill. She further said that this Bill will pave way for establishing Private Universities and will boost the Higher Education sector here. She added that numerous students of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefited by this as they used to go outside J&K for achieving Higher education.
Legislators, Mir Saifullah, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Tanvir Sadiq had moved amendments on the Bill. These Legislators withdrew their amendments after assurances by the Education Minister.Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia had also moved an amendment, which was rejected through voice vote.Later, the Speaker put the Bill to voice vote, and subsequently it was passed.
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