Question : Closure of University

(a) the details of total universities closed in the country during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware that CMJ University situated in Meghalaya has been closed and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make the degrees of those students valid who have received the degrees from the said universities before its closure and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to safeguard the interest of the students and resolve the problems faced by the students due to the closure of Universities?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) & (b): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that during the last three years and the current year, two Universities namely EIILM University in Sikkim and CMJ University in Meghalaya have been closed.

The CMJ University was dissolved by the State Government of Meghalaya under Section 48(2) of CMJ University Act after complaints were received against the University. The University approached the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya against the orders of the State Government and Hon’ble High Court set aside the dissolution order dated 31.03.2014 citing legal technicalities. The UGC has further informed that, the State Government of Meghalaya has filed an appeal before the Hon’ble High Court on the directions from Hon’ble Supreme Court. Consequent upon the cancellation of the order dated 31.03.2014 of the Government of Meghalaya by Hon’ble High Court vide order dated 16.07.2015, the CMJ University has started functioning at its permanent campus at Jorabat, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya. The matter is sub-judice.


The UGC also informed that, the EIILM University was dissolved by the State Government and the University is not functioning since December, 2014. However, the matter is sub-judice.

(c) & (d): As informed by UGC, both CMJ University and EIILM University were permitted to offer courses under regular mode at its main campuses only and degrees of only those students are valid who studied in regular mode at the main campus of these Universities. Further, to protect and safeguard the interest of the valid students, the State Government of Meghalaya invited students of CMJ University for personal hearing. The State Government of Sikkim has informed that all the regular students of EIILM University have been relocated.