| Differences between the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) headed by telecom consultant Sam Pitroda and the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) under Arjun Singh continue to hold up a review of apex educational institutions like the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). |
| A full Planning Commmission met on education for the 11th Plan, where the Prime Minister called for constitution of a working group to review the role and functions of these institutions. A month after that, the working group is still not in place. |
| Fears of loss of authority on part of the MHRD and a marked reluctance to accept the recommendations of the Sam Pitroda-led NKC appear to be at the heart of the delay. |
| D Purandareswari, minister of state (HRD) in charge of higher education said: "There is resistance from bodies like UGC, especially in context of NKC submissions. But we will soon work out a formula to look into certain aspects of the working of these apex bodies." |
| She went on to add, "There were some points of clash between the NKC and the Ministry but we are trying to reach a consensus. The meeting between the (HRD) Minister and member of the NKC was one step towards this." Currently these bodies work under the guidance of the MHRD, though they are technically autonomous. |
| Addressing the Plan panel meet last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called on Planning Commission and MHRD to set up a working group to review the "role and functions of apex institutions like UGC, AICTE" in the context of the "changes that have taken place in higher, professional and technical education in the last many years and the demands of the knowledge economy" and suggest specific reforms. |
| While the Prime Minister's tone mooted no delay, Planning Commission said there had been no movement on the Working Group. "We are ready to work on the proposal but there should be some response from the Ministry concerned as well," B L Mungekar, Planning Commission member in charge of education told Business Standard. |
| The National Development Council (NDC), before which a finalised 11th plan is to be presented, is scheduled to meet on December 9. This leaves just six weeks for the working group to be announced and submit its report. |
| In its controversial report, the NKC had called for changes in the regulatory mechanism for higher education. It had suggested an "Independent Regulatory Authority for Higher Education (IRAHE), which would be at an arm's length from the government and independent of all ministries concerned" in the report submitted in November 2006. |
| This review was backed by the Prime Minister when he sought the formation of a working group. |
| Other Ministries like Health, Agriculture and Law and Justice are reported to be against the formation of a body like IRAHE for fear of loss of turf. |
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