Union HRD Ministry announced to set up Two Central Universities in Bihar

Subject:
             Conceding to the demand of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Union Human Resource Development Ministry on 13 July 2012 agreed to set up two central universities in the state. The union government’s nod for two central universities also put an end to the 3-year long impasse over the location of the university.

The Ministry, however, announced that it would not provide any separate funds for the additional university. Hence, the 240 crore rupees fund which was allocated as initial capital for the university will have to be divided between the two varsities.

The Union Government will have to make certain amendments in the Central Universities Act, 2009, to enable the opening of two central universities in Bihar. Under the legislation there is a provision for setting up two central universities in Jammu and Kashmir as a special case.

The proposal to set up central university in Bihar was delayed by several months given the differences between the state government and the human resource development ministry related to the location of the university. While the Nitish Kumar led state government was adamant on setting up the university in Motihari, the Union Government considered Gaya as the preferred location for the university.

There are 41 central universities functioning in India at present, with Delhi and UP have a maximum of 4 Universities each.