'Private varsity bill to promote higher edn'

  The bill seeking to set up six private universities in the State would pave the way for enhancing the quality of higher education, Higher Education Minister C T Ravi has said.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ravi said the Bill would address the government’s inability to provide higher education.

“The proposed legislation will thrust social responsibility on private universities and render higher education accessible for economically weaker sections of society.

The government will fill up fifty per cent of seats in the private varsities on merit basis and the balance will be left to managements,” Ravi said. The fee structure for government seats would be fixed on the basis of recommendations of a committee headed by a retired High Court judge. The Bill is pending before the Assembly.