The Union Cabinet, in its last meeting of the second UPA Government’s tenure on Friday, is set to take up the issue of giving financial autonomy to Nalanda University which has become contentious due to the objections raised by the Finance Ministry.
According to sources, the agenda for the Cabinet meeting has listed the item as “financial autonomy” for the university which was seen as a modern successor to the ancient educational institution which had attracted students from all over the world.
It is learnt that the agenda prepared by the Ministry of External Affairs says that the provisions will give financial autonomy to the institution. At the same time, it also notes that the Department of Expenditure under the Finance Ministry has some serious objections to the proposal.
The Cabinet will therefore have to find a way to resolve the matter.