Calls for free land for private universities

A planning commission group has sought massive government support, including free land to the private sector entering higher education, as its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia pitched for across-the-board fee hikes in universities, reports the Press Trust India.

A committee on corporate sector participation in higher education, headed by Chief Mentor of Infosys NR Narayana Murthy, submitted its report to Ahluwalia, who said: “I am in favour of raising the fee across-the-board.” The deputy chairman said: “Stop funding the universities and just fund the students...then they go to universities that are worth paying for."

Public resources need to grow in primary and secondary education, he said, adding that the corporate sector should also be involved as public resources for health and education were limited.

Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal, who was also present, said: “The private sector is not going to invest unless you give them appropriate environment, and the fundamental is land.” However, he said, there were litigations over land given to the private sector.
Full report on The Economic Times site