Jammu, April 4 The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday passed the Private Universities Bill, which deals with the establishment and incorporation of private institutions in the Union Territory.
The bill, moved by Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, reads, "A Bill to provide for the establishment and incorporation of private universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and to regulate their functioning, management, and academic standards for ensuring quality education and protecting the interests of students."
Speaking in the House, Itoo said that the government has taken into consideration all the issues and concerns regarding the higher education sector before formulating the bill.
"This bill will pave the way for establishing private universities and boost the higher education sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Numerous students of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from this, as they used to go outside the Union Territory for higher education," the minister said.
MLAs Mir Saifullah, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Tanvir Sadiq had moved amendments on the bill but later withdrew their amendments on assurances from the government.
Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia had also moved an amendment, which was rejected through a voice vote.
The speaker put the bill to a voice vote and subsequently, it was passed.