Question : STRENGTHENING OF UNIVERSITIES

(a) whether the Government intends to strengthen universities and colleges that are technically under the purview of the University Grants Commission (UGC) but do not yet meet the minimum eligibility norms in terms of physical facilities and human resource;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the names of such colleges and universities, State-wise including Rajasthan; and

(c) whether the Government has any plan to achieve their objectives and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), seeks to support and reform the state higher education system, by providing infrastructural grants to higher educational institutions and covers even those higher educational institutions, which do not qualify to receive funding under section 12 B of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. RUSA provides for infrastructural grants of Rs. 20 crores for each university and Rs.2 crores to each college.

As on 1st December 2014, 10 Universities and 155 colleges have been released Infrastructural Grants under RUSA. No proposal for the same has been received from Rajasthan. The State-wise details of all universities and colleges, which have been approved for receiving infrastructural grants under RUSA are available at http:// mhrd.gov.in/project-approval-board.