Sibal flays those opposing accreditation of varsities

Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday slammed political parties opposing accreditation of universities saying though they claim it would harm the federal structure, it would, in fact, harm their personal interests.

"We are seeing how institutions are being granted the status of universities especially in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and we want no university shall come into being without accreditation and this is what is being opposed," he told a seminar here.

"This decision is being opposed in Uttar Pradesh and some parties are also disrupting proceedings of Parliament on the pretext that it will harm the federal structure but the reality is that if implemented, it will lead to closure of their shops," Sibal said.

He regretted till all political parties view things in national interest, hopes of reforms will not become a reality.

The minister said time has come to teach a lesson to those who are foiling Central government's efforts to bring improvement in educational structure.

Highlighting the problems of malnutrition, atrocities on women, corruption and crime in Uttar Pradesh, he said of the 100 children going to schools in the country, only 16 reach college.

Sibal said the strength of a country is reflected not in per capita income but in the students in university as they give new ideas on which the nation progresses.

Announcing that Akash 2, new version of tablet computer, would be launched in April, he said work to link all 604 universities and 31,000 colleges with the "National Knowledge network" was on. He said a national assessing authority would be set up soon.

On the Lokpal Bill, Sibal questioned the intentions of the BSP and the SP saying though they staged a walk out in the Lok Sabha, they supported the BJP in the Rajya Sabha and kept sitting in the House.

They demand bringing the Prime Minister's Office under the Lok Pal, but they do not talk of a Lokayukta in states, he said.