Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

Plan to set up separate varsity for Konkan, says Minister Samant

Pune | ByPress Trust of India
Jan 12, 2020 12:32 PM IST

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant said that there was a long pending demand from the Konkan region regarding the establishment of a separate university.

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant on Saturday said there were plans to set up a university in the Konkan region as it was a long-pending demand of the people there.

Currently colleges in Konkan’s Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts are affiliated to Mumbai University.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“There was a long pending demand of people from the Konkan that there should be a separate university in Konkan region. For students studying in Sawantwadi in Konkan, Mumbai University is almost 650 kilometres away and it is difficult for them to travel that far for any work,” he said.

Addressing a press conference, he said a committee had been set up for the purpose.

Queried on varsity level students’ polls, he said a segment was in favour while the other was not, adding that experts will be consulted by the state government to move ahead.

The previous BJP-led Maharashtra government had last year decided to revive students elections, which were banned since 1993, and fresh polls were supposed to be held in 11 universities and affiliated colleges.

However, they were kept in abeyance due to the October Assembly polls.

Samant said “principally” everybody in the present government was of the opinion that the (previous government’s) decision of students elections was not appropriate and should be changed.

He said a separate academy for professors will be set up in Pune.

Samant said the state government has decided to lift a stay on giving approvals to new libraries in the state.

“Since 2012, no permission for new libraries have been given as there was a cabinet decision. We will lift the stay and start giving the permissions to new libraries,” he added.

Asked about a Congress leader’s statement seeking cancellation of appointment of “pro-RSS vice chancellors”, Samant said it was not appropriate for him to comment as appointments of VCs are done by the governor.

He said focus would be on bettering the quality of education, building infrastructure and increasing skills of teachers.

Samant was in Savitribai Phule Pune University to hold meetings with education officials.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
OPEN APP