The Centre on Friday decided to amend the Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Higher Educational Institutions, Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill-2010 and introduce it in Parliament.
The meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the amendments, including mandatory disclosure of adherence to reservation provisions (in public funded institutions) and to put in place a policy framework (in private unaided institutions) to address equity concerns in the prospectus and to provide for punishment and penalties in case of non-adherence.
The Bill will be amended so that adjudication of penalties is de-linked from the Educational Tribunal Bill-2010 and restored to civil courts. The Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Higher Educational Institutions, Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities Bill-2010 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in May 2010 and referred to the department-related standing committee.
After the standing committee submitted its report, the Centre approved certain amendments. However, many MPs sought protection of the interests of the students from socially and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.