AI Generated Summary
- “There is no control over the number of seats, the fee structure, the types of courses offered, or the conduct of examinations,” he said.
- Several members from the Opposition Congress raised alarms over the unchecked proliferation of private universities, calling for the establishment of a robust regulatory body empowered to oversee operations, enforce standards, and impose penalties on erring institutions.
- As the Assembly expands the scope of private universities in Punjab, the debate over regulation and accountability is likely to intensify.
The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Friday unanimously passed legislation granting university status to Rayat Bahra Professional University in Hoshiarpur and CGC University in Janjheri, Mohali. With this move, the total number of private universities in the state has now risen to 19. However, the decision reignited concerns among lawmakers over the lack of a regulatory framework governing private educational institutions in Punjab.
Several members from the Opposition Congress raised alarms over the unchecked proliferation of private universities, calling for the establishment of a robust regulatory body empowered to oversee operations, enforce standards, and impose penalties on erring institutions.
Calls for Strong Oversight
Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh voiced serious concerns over what he termed the “absence of quality education” in many private institutions. “There is no control over the number of seats, the fee structure, the types of courses offered, or the conduct of examinations,” he said. Singh insisted that any regulatory body established must not be “toothless” but should have real powers to intervene and rectify violations.
Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli echoed similar sentiments, focusing on the treatment of students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Backward Classes (BC). He demanded mandatory reservation policies in private universities and stressed the need to prevent harassment of SC students, particularly under government-run scholarship schemes. “Many SC students have had to abandon their studies due to fee-related harassment,” he alleged, countering the Education Minister Harjot Bains’ claims that students were benefiting from existing schemes.
Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Chaudhary added that some institutions were allegedly withholding student certificates due to delays in government scholarship payments. “This is nothing short of blackmail,” he said, urging the government to introduce strict legislation to protect vulnerable students.
Independent MLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh went a step further, accusing the government of shirking its educational responsibilities. “Private universities are flourishing while government universities suffer,” he said, likening the current situation to past waves of exploitation. “First it was immigration agents, then property dealers, and now private universities are taking advantage of the people.”
Animal Sports Bill Passed
In addition to the education bills, the Assembly also passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating traditional animal sports, notably bullock-cart racing. Once banned by the Supreme Court in 2014, the sport was reinstated in Punjab in 2019 with limited permission. The new bill seeks to impose safety regulations, including veterinary oversight, documentation, and penalties for violations to ensure the well-being of animals involved.
Other Legislative Developments
Two more bills were passed during the session:
- The Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- The Punjab Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Both are aimed at updating labor and commercial regulations in keeping with changing economic needs.
As the Assembly expands the scope of private universities in Punjab, the debate over regulation and accountability is likely to intensify. While the move promises more educational opportunities, lawmakers insist that oversight mechanisms must be put in place to safeguard students’ rights and ensure academic integrity.
