<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu on Thursday said that the state will explore legal options available against the draft UGC regulations proposed by the centre.</p>.<p>Responding to a query raised by CPI(M) leader M V Govindan MLA regarding the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations-2025 during the Question Hour in the Assembly, Bindu said that the UGC allocates only meagre funds for the higher education sector.</p>.<p>She added that the state government would explore the possibility of a legal battle against the draft regulations for violating Constitutional provisions.</p>.<p>"The Higher Education Department will convene a National Education Convention on February 20 in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the protest against the draft. Education ministers from other states will also participate," she said.</p>.<p>Bindu added that the Kerala Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on January 21 urging the Centre to withdraw the draft UGC regulations-2025 and introduce a revised set of guidelines only after thorough consultations with state governments and academic experts. The resolution was then forwarded to the Centre, she said.</p>.<p>She further stated that the government had appointed a five-member committee headed by economist Prabhat Patnaik to analyse the draft regulations. The committee conducted a preliminary study and submitted its recommendations.</p>.<p>"Based on this the state government conveyed its protest to the Union government and the UGC demanding the withdrawal of the draft on February 3," she added.</p>.<p>She alleged that the UGC is currently operating contrary to the objectives for which it was established.</p>.<p>"The term 'Grants' in the UGC has become meaningless as it has discontinued several scholarships and fellowships including the Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme (MANF) for minority students," she said.</p>.<p>Responding to a question from IUML member Abid Hussain Thangal, she emphasised the need for a united resistance against the draft regulations.</p>.<p>According to her, the draft primarily reflects the ruling party's 'saffronisation' agenda as it proposes appointments—from Vice Chancellors to assistant professors—without prioritising academic excellence and experience. PTI ARM ARM ADB</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu on Thursday said that the state will explore legal options available against the draft UGC regulations proposed by the centre.</p>.<p>Responding to a query raised by CPI(M) leader M V Govindan MLA regarding the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations-2025 during the Question Hour in the Assembly, Bindu said that the UGC allocates only meagre funds for the higher education sector.</p>.<p>She added that the state government would explore the possibility of a legal battle against the draft regulations for violating Constitutional provisions.</p>.<p>"The Higher Education Department will convene a National Education Convention on February 20 in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the protest against the draft. Education ministers from other states will also participate," she said.</p>.<p>Bindu added that the Kerala Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on January 21 urging the Centre to withdraw the draft UGC regulations-2025 and introduce a revised set of guidelines only after thorough consultations with state governments and academic experts. The resolution was then forwarded to the Centre, she said.</p>.<p>She further stated that the government had appointed a five-member committee headed by economist Prabhat Patnaik to analyse the draft regulations. The committee conducted a preliminary study and submitted its recommendations.</p>.<p>"Based on this the state government conveyed its protest to the Union government and the UGC demanding the withdrawal of the draft on February 3," she added.</p>.<p>She alleged that the UGC is currently operating contrary to the objectives for which it was established.</p>.<p>"The term 'Grants' in the UGC has become meaningless as it has discontinued several scholarships and fellowships including the Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme (MANF) for minority students," she said.</p>.<p>Responding to a question from IUML member Abid Hussain Thangal, she emphasised the need for a united resistance against the draft regulations.</p>.<p>According to her, the draft primarily reflects the ruling party's 'saffronisation' agenda as it proposes appointments—from Vice Chancellors to assistant professors—without prioritising academic excellence and experience. PTI ARM ARM ADB</p>