Quota may take away funds meant for new institutes: Parl Committee

Despite the government's commitment to set up more institutions of higher learning, funds can prove to be a major impediment, as a substantial amount will have to be diverted to implement the other backward classes (OBCs) quota, a Parliamentary Committee has said.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD), which recently presented its report to Parliament, has expressed its concern and questioned as to how the Department of Higher Education would discharge its financial commitments given the low budget allocations for higher education for 2008-09.
As most resources would go into implementing the OBCs reservations from the academic session beginning 2008, it would be difficult for the government to set up more institutions for higher learning, the panel said.

The committee, headed by senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Janardan Dwivedi, in its report stated that HRD ministry would be under pressure to release funds for new institutions of higher education.
The ministry plans to set up 30 central universities during 2008-09, eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at a cost of Rs 7.6 billion each, seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at a cost of Rs 6.6 billion each and three Indian Institutes for Science Education and Research (IISERs) costing Rs 5 billion each.

Besides, it intends to set up 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and 10 National Institutes of Technology (NITs). The committee has asked the government to take a fresh look at the issue.
Welcoming the decision to set up a large number of premier institutions, it has expressed concern over the massive efforts and resources required for implementing it within the shortest possible time. (IANS)

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