Question : MODEL DEGREE COLLEGES

(a) whether the Government has decided to open Model Degree Colleges in each district of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the number of model degree colleges proposed to be set up by March, 2012;

(d) the details of proposals received from the State Governments for setting up of model degree colleges in each district, as on date, State-wise;

(e) the details of the proposals sanctioned and pending, State-wise;

(f) whether the Government have held any discussion with the State Governments in this regard;

(g) if so, the details of share of the Union Government in the expenses likely to be incurred on these degree colleges;

(h) whether several State Governments have demanded the entire expenditure should be borne by the Union Government;

(i) if so, the details thereof; and

(j) the action taken by the Government in this regard and the time by which these colleges are likely to be made functional?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): The Government has decided, as part of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to establish one Model Degree College in each of the identified 374 higher educationally backward districts with Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) lower than the national average. A State-wise list of the 374 identified educationally backward districts is at Annexure-I.

(c) to (e): Model Degree Colleges are set up by the State Governments having territorial jurisdiction. State-wise details of the proposals as furnished by University Grants Commission (UGC) for setting up of Model Degree Colleges is at Annexure-II.

(f): The details of the scheme were discussed during the meeting of State Ministers of Higher and Technical Education in July, 2008. The scheme was also discussed during the 55th Central Advisory Board of Education meeting held in February, 2009.

(g): The capital cost of a Model Degree College is between Rs. 4 crore to Rs. 8 crore. The capital cost is shared between the centre and state on a 1: 2 ratio, while for Special Category States, the ratio is 1:1.

(h) & (i): While some states have requested to enhancing share of Central Government, no formal request has been made by any state to completely do away with states’ share. Moreover, since this is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 100% contribution by Central Government is, in any case, not possible.

(j): According to information supplied by the UGC, 40 Model Degree Colleges have become functional out of which 01 is in Karnataka, 11 are in Punjab, 08 in Gujarat, 01 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 03 in Kerala, 06 in Arunachal Pradesh, 06 in Maharashtra, 04 in Uttar Pradesh.