BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 20th March 2026: Agartala: Opposition parties in Tripura, including the Congress and CPI(M), staged a walkout from the Legislative Assembly on Friday, protesting against three bills proposing the establishment of private universities. The opposition raised concerns over alleged regulatory lapses and the lack of University Grants Commission (UGC) approval for the institutions.
The bills under scrutiny are:
Science Technology and Allied Skill University, Tripura Bill, 2026
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University, Tripura Bill, 2025
International University, Tripura Bill, 2025
During the sixth day of the Assembly session, Speaker Rampada Jamatia read out the bills for passage. CPI(M) Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury questioned the adequacy of information provided in the bills, particularly regarding the Science Technology and Allied Skill University.
Chaudhury pointed out that the bill references the Bharat Educational and Cultural Trust of Hapur but fails to clarify the trust’s location or background. “The government has already approved four universities since the 13th Assembly session. Despite this, three years on, there is still no infrastructure or faculty in place, yet Ph.D. programs are being proposed. This is quantity education, not quality, and it could be detrimental to the country,” he said. Chaudhury urged that the bills be referred to a select committee to examine the organizations’ credentials and ensure educational quality.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman added that one of the bills had already been passed in May 2025, before Kishore Barman became Higher Education Minister. He criticized the Bharat Educational and Cultural Trust, calling it “merely a consultancy service provider” and highlighting the lack of UGC approval, NIRF ranking, or verifiable credentials. “Their contact numbers on Truecaller belong to plywood sellers. These bills should be withdrawn immediately, and the responsible officers held accountable,” Roy Barman said.
Defending the bills, Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman stated that all UGC guidelines were being followed and that the cabinet had thoroughly scrutinized the proposals. “All three private university bills have been carefully examined to maintain proper systems,” he said.
Despite the minister’s assurances, opposition members protested in the well of the House and eventually walked out as the bills were about to be passed.
