By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : A parliamentary committee has raised questions over the manner the deemed university status is being conferred on institutions and said the concept needs to be revised.
Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development in its report said the number of deemed universities had increased disproportionately during the recent years.
“It was felt that perhaps inadvertently, some institutions which did not fulfil the required conditions have received this status,” the report said.
There are 101 deemed universities, including about 25 in government sector, in the country.
The committee viewed that the power of the department of higher education in Ministry of HRD and the University Grants Commission for granting deemed university status to any institution of higher learning was “extraordinary” in nature because it amounts to by-passing legislature.
“This power, therefore, should be used sparingly and only in highly deserving cases. Alternatively, all other cases could be covered under the autonomous college scheme,” the report said.
The committee had earlier said that entire deemed university scheme needed to be revised.
“The committee reiterates its recommendation and expects a considered response from the department in this regard,” the report said.