BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th January 2024 : The CPIM and Congress legislators today staged a walk out from the Tripura Legislative Assembly after Chief Minister Manik Saha rejected the demand of the MLAs to refer a Bill for the establishment of a private university to a select committee for thorough scrutiny.
The opposition leaders, including Animesh Debbarma, Jitendra Choudhury, and Sudip Roy Barman, voiced strong reservations during the presentation of the Bill, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive examination by the select committee before its approval.
While Debbarma clarified that their concern was not against the concept of a private open university in the northeastern state, he insisted on a meticulous review by the select committee.
Choudhury echoed these sentiments, expressing apprehensions about a private organization setting up an open university in a state already hosting three private universities.
He argued, “The Bill should be sent to the select committee for proper scrutiny because people don’t know much about Himalayan Universal Educational Trust, a Delhi-based organization.”
Choudhury drew attention to the precedent set by the scrutiny of ICFAI University and MBB University Bills by the select committee before their passage in the House. Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman added his concerns, urging the chief minister not to withdraw the Bill but to refer it to the select committee or experts for a thorough examination to safeguard the future of students.
In response to the opposition’s reservations, Chief Minister Manik Saha defended the Himalayan Universal Educational Trust, citing its experience in running similar institutions in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
He assured that the organization had acquired a 5.40-acre plot in Udaipur, Gomati district, adhering to UGC guidelines and would not require additional funding to establish the open university, benefiting students facing challenges in completing college.
Despite the assurances, the Bill for the establishment of Mata Tripura Sundari Open University was ultimately passed in the House, leading to the walkout of CPI(M) and Congress MLAs.
