Amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 pending in Rajya Sabha
No: ----- Dated: Feb, 28 2014
Amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 pending in Rajya Sabha
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 suggested by Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs and accepted by the Government. The Bill deals with the twin issues of autonomy and governance. It seeks to further refine some of the provisions of the Nalanda University Act, 2010 (39 of 2010) to create an even better governance structure for the University than exists presently, and help speed up the project.
The following are the salient amendments proposed by the Standing Committee and accepted by the Government:
i. In respect of the University, inclusion of the words "non-state, non-profit, self-governing international institution having academic freedom for attainment of these objectives" in the Preamble;
ii. Also, a mention of the inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Nalanda University that came into force on October 10, 2013 and the provision that any other State that subscribes to the object and purpose of the establishment of the University to become signatory to the MoU;
iii. Vice-Chancellor shall also perform the role of Member-Secretary of the Governing Board;
iv. The Nalanda Mentor Group will continue as Governing Board till members referred to in clauses (c) to (h) of sub-section (1) of section 7 are nominated;
v. The Headquarters Agreement specifying privileges and immunities of the academic staff will be made applicable from the date of signing of such Agreement; and
vi. Instead of five members from the participating countries of the East Asia Summit, the Governing Board will have seven members, one each nominated by seven participating and non-participating countries of the East Asia Summit.
The Government of India has approved an expenditure of Rs. 2727.10 crore for the period 2010-11 to 2021-22 in order to meet the University's budgetary requirements during its establishment phase. A number of participating countries, such as China, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Australia, and Japan have either made or offered voluntary contributions. The provisions of the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the amendments suggested by the Standing Committee do not involve any additional expenditure.
The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of India and to centres established within or outside India. The University is an international institution of national importance.
Background
The Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013, designed to further streamline the governance structure of the University and provide it the financial support required for the establishment of a world class institution of high learning, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013. The Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs scrutinised the Bill and presented its Report to both the Houses on 17thDecember, 2013.
The Committee endorsed the objectives and the following specific provisions of the Amendment Bill:
1) The Government of India may meet both capital and recurring expenditure of the University to the extent required;
2) Retrospective application of the University's Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations;
3) President of India will be the Visitor of the University;
4) Two members of the academic faculty will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor to the Governing Board;
5) Secondment of persons to join the University will be allowed; and
6) Non-participating countries of the East Asia Summit will be allowed to collaborate in developing the University as an international centre of excellence.
राज्य सभा में लंबित नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2013 में संशोधन
केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल ने आज विदेश मंत्रालय की संसदीय स्थायी समिति के सुझाव और सरकार की स्वीकृति के आधार पर नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2013 में संशोधन के प्रस्ताव का मंजूरी दे दी है। यह विधेयक स्वायत्तता और शासन के दो मुद्दों से संबंधित है। इसमें विश्वविद्यालय के लिए वर्तमान की तुलना में बेहतरीन शासन संरचना बनाने के लिए नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय अधिनियम, 2010 (2010 का 39) के कुछ प्रावधानों को और दुरुस्त करने की व्यवस्था है।
स्थायी समिति के प्रस्तावित मुख्य सुझाव और सरकार के अनुमोदन के अनुसार मुख्य संशोधन इस प्रकार हैं।
1. विश्वविद्यालय के संबंध में, ” इन उद्देश्यों को हासिल करने के लिए शैक्षिक आजादी के साथ गैर-राज्य, गैर-लाभ, स्व-शासित अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संस्थान” शब्द जोड़ना
2. नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना के बारे में अंतर-सरकारी सहमति ज्ञापन का उल्लेख जो 10 अक्तूबर, 2013 से प्रभाव में आएगा।
3. कुलपति शासकीय बोर्ड के सदस्य सचिव की भूमिका भी करेगा।
4. पूर्व एशिया शिखर सम्मेलन के प्रतिभागी देशों के पांच सदस्यों के बजाय शासकीय बोर्ड में सात सदस्य होंगे। पूर्व एशिया शिखर सम्मेलन के प्रतिभागी और अप्रतिभागी सात देश एक-एक सदस्य मनोनीत करेंगे।
भारत सरकार ने स्थापना चरण के दौरान विश्वविद्यालय की बजटीय जरूरतें पूरी करने के लिए 2010-11 से 2021-22 के लिए 2727.10 करोड़ रुपये की मंजूरी दी है।