NEW DELHI, AUG 26
A legislation to form a system that provides prompt resolution of disputes pertaining to higher education institutions was today passed by Lok Sabha, with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal saying it would provide a mechanism to resolve future conflicts in the education sector.
The Educational Tribunals Bill, 2010, moved by Sibal, proposes to set up a two-tier structure of Educational Tribunals at the national and State level to adjudicate on the entire gamut of disputes that arise in the higher education system.
Interestingly, just before Sibal was to reply on the debate, former Union HRD Minister and senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi raised the issue of lack of quorum.
The Chair paused the discussions for a few minutes before members rushed to the House to complete the quorum.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Sibal said while the idea was to have a three-tier system — tribunals at district, State and central level — the State Governments had termed the move as “costly”. Therefore, the system is now two-tier.
He said the number of State-level tribunals would be increased in the next one year.
The HRD minister rejected suggestions that the Bill lacked consultations with the stake holders, adding all State 1governments were consulted before taking a final call.
“Amendments were carried out in the draft after consultations,” he affirmed.
