Joshi panel to study education sector; stakeholders' views invited

The Estimates Committee of Parliament has been tasked to study the education sector and submit a report to the Lok Sabha.

The Human Resource Development (HRD Ministry on Friday issued a public notice inviting the stakeholders to submit their views and suggestions to the parliamentary panel, headed by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Murli Manohar Joshi.

"Considering the importance of the subject, the Committee has decided to invite   views/suggestions on 'Education' with particular reference to higher education from individuals/experts/public/bodies/ organisations/stakeholders and others concerned/interested with the subject," the Ministry said.

Those willing to appear before the Estimates Committee, besides submitting memoranda, can make a request to the parliamentary panel.

The move comes even as an expert committee set up by the HRD Ministry is in the process of finalising a draft national education policy. The drafting committee is expected to submit its report to the HRD Ministry by the end of December this year.

Panel's terms

The terms of the Estimates Committee include reporting on what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency or administraive reform may be effected; make suggestions for bringing in alternative policies to bring about efficiency and economy in administration.

It will also examine whether money was well laid out and suggest the form in which the estimates must be presented to Parliament.

Joshi was HRD minister during the previous   NDA regime.