Delay in setting up regulator stalls Manipal Group's plans

A delay in appointing a regulator for private universities in Madhya Pradesh has delayed the Manipal Group's Rs 700-crore investment plan of setting up "Manipal Vidyajyoti University" in Gwalior. The investment is likely to be made in a phased manner in the next 14 years.

The group has said it had acquired 100 acres in "Counter Magnet City" "" a special area for development of the information technology sector. The group had signed a deal with the state government to set up the university.

"We are waiting for a regulatory commission to be set up, as defined in the Private University Act," a senior executive in the group said.

The Assembly has recently passed an Act called "Madhya Pradesh Niji Vishwavidyalaya (Sthapna Avam Sanchalan) Adhiniyam 2007" to allow private investment in the education sector.

Manipal, according to the executive, has plans to run the university for talented students from economically-weaker strata of the society.

"The appointment of the regulator is in process and it will be decided confidentially at higher level," a senior official in the government higher education department said and refused to make further comments.

The University Act, 2007, defines that a regulator commission would lay down the procedure for performance of its function. Higher authorities were not available for comment.

The private universities have failed to come up in the state despite the previous government's nod to institutions like NIIT to set up their shops in the state. The Manipal Vidyajyoti University, according to the executive, will have 4,000 staff in Gwalior of which 2,000 will be teaching staff.

"If things go smoothly, we will be able to function fully by 2009-10," said the group executive. The university will run various courses at low capitation fee.