Uttar Pradesh passes Sahara university Bill

The Rs 30,000-crore Sahara group will now foray into the education sector.

The Uttar Pradesh assembly today passed the Sahara University Uttar Pradesh Bill 2006, with voice vote. Piloting the Bill, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohammed Azam Khan said the university would be set up in Lucknow, which is all set to emerge as an "education hub" of the country.

The government had tabled the Sahara University Uttar Pradesh Bill 2006 in the assembly through supplementary agenda on August 25. As per the Bill, Sahara Arts and Management academy Society, which is registered under the Society Act, would set up the varsity in the private sector in Lucknow.

The most important part of the Bill is the provision for appointment of rector (Kuladyaksha), who would have wide ranging power. The varsity chancellor would be appointed by the state government in consultation with the society, while the Vice Chancellor (VC) would be appointed by the chancellor for five years.

Pro-chancellor of the varsity would be appointed by the VC. The proposed varsity would be spread out in at least 50 acres of land and the building would spread around in not less then 24,000 square meters.

Of the total constructed area, 50 per cent would be used for teaching and administrative work. The varsity would also have equipment and other material worth over Rs 5 crore.

Though the BJP supported the bill, its members said there was no need of more varsities in Lucknow as there are already 11 universities in the state capital.

Voicing the same concern the BSP also advocated that such a university should have been set up in the backward region, so that the youth could receive better education facilities. The BJP which had earlier moved an amendment in the bill for sending it to the select committee of the house, however later withdrew it.