It’s a mix of the old and the new. Going by the names virtually finalised for the revived National Advisory Council (NAC), its evident that UPA-II would like to continue with its thrust on its social sector agenda.
Interestingly, two well known civil society activists — Jean Dreze and Aruna Roy — are also set to be back on the NAC. Dr Dreze, a development economist, had quit the first NAC owing to his contention that NREGA had been diluted of which he is said to be the architect. He was followed a little later by Ms Roy, known for being the driving spirit behind the Right to Information (RTI) Act when she refused to have her term renewed, reportedly beca-use she was unhappy with the way UPA-I was implementing the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
While the appointment of UPA chairperson and Congress president, Sonia Gandhi as the NAC head was declared a couple of months ago, the names of its members are likely to be formally announced soon.
The name of the member-secretary of the council Rita Sharma, a former rural development secretary was formally announced by the government on Monday.
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States resist draft law for varsities
Nitin Mahajan
New Delhi
Several states were opposed to draft law proposal that new universities should get authorisation from NCHER before operation and vice-chancellors should be appointed from a national registry finalised by the Centre.
State governments had complained that these proposals were against federal principles and alleged that the HRD ministry was trying to centralise education. The DMK had gone on record to state that establishment of NCHER “infringed on the state’s rights on education”.
Sources stated that the resistance to these proposal was such that the HRD ministry had to agree to have a rethink on these proposals.
“The states are now likely to be given a free hand in the appointment of vice-chancellors for universities,” sources added.
HRD minister Kapil Sibal is also understood to have begun a consultation for resolving the dispute and build a consensus on the bill. The bill is considered to be one of the main items on the education reform agenda.
“The minister held a consultation process on the draft bill last week and further consultations are likely soon,” sources stated.