MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
12th POSITION
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. #512 FOR 29.04.2015 SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ AND SHRI CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE REGARDING FRAUDULENT UNIVERSITIES/ EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Yes, Madam. As per information available with the University Grants Commission (UGC), there are 21 Fake Universities which have been listed in the UGC list of Fake Universities and are functioning in contravention or violation of the UGC Act, 1956 in different parts of the country. The list of Fake Universities/unrecognized institutions are available on the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in. In addition the Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, U.P. is also not recognized by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. In view of a Court Order, a separate public notice is also published for IIPM, New Delhi.
(b) As per information received from the University Grants Commission (UGC), complaints have been received about the fraudulent universities and educational institutes operating in the country during 2014-15 from one complainant who gave addresses of 585 educational institutions functioning in Mumbai during 2015. The status/ comments of these institutions are yet to be received. Besides, complaints on the following fake institutions have also been received during 2014-15:
1) Nabbharat Shiksha Parishad,(NPS) Odisha: On complaints of one complainant the UGC, after confirming the affiliation of NSP, Odisha from Sambalpur University informed the complainant that the NSP is not affiliated with the Sambalpur University.
2) Global Institute of Health Care Management, New Delhi: Reply received from the Institute was contrary to the complainant’s complaint.
3) The New International Christian University, Bangalore, Karnataka. This University on follow up of UGC removed the word “university” (since the word University can be used by those universities/ institutions which are established under section 2(f) and section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956) and changed name of the institution.
4) Institution of Chemist (India), Kolkata, West Bengal. The UGC has asked the status of this institution but reply has not been received.
(c) According to the UGC, some institutions are offering Undergraduate/ Postgraduate degrees in various subjects which are not established under either Central/State or UGC Act and hence these Fake Universities do not have right to confer/grant any degree.
Some of the steps taken by UGC against these Fraudulent Universities are as follows:
(i) For the awareness of general public/students/parents, the UGC puts up the list of fake institutions on its website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in. All self-styled unrecognized and unapproved institutions are cautioned that running of Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree courses and giving misleading advertisements shall attract severe action under the provisions of appropriate laws including the UGC Act and the Indian Penal Code, etc.
(ii) At the beginning of academic session, the UGC issues Press Release and Public Notice and state-wise list of fake universities in the country in national dailies Newspapers in Hindi and English to warn the aspiring students, wardens and the public at large not to take admission in the courses run by the self-styled, unauthorized fake universities/ institution of higher education functioning in different parts of the country.
(iii) Cases have also been filed in various courts by UGC against fake universities/institutions. Various cases are pending in the court of law filed by the fake universities/unrecognized institutes.
(iv) The UGC in the interest of general public/students defends the cases in the court. Action relating to closing down the fake institution is to be taken by the concerned state government and local authorities.
(v) The UGC has sent letters to the State/UT Principal Secretaries/Education Secretaries to take appropriate action against the fake universities located in their jurisdiction.
(vi)The UGC has also written to the Vice Chancellor/ Director/ In charge of the 21 fake universities to close the down the fake institutions immediately.
(vii) Reminder letters to the State/UT Principal Secretaries/Education Secretaries have been issued to take the appropriate action against the Fake Universities located in their jurisdiction.
(viii) The High Court of Delhi has given the final decision against the IIPM and advised that acts of the IIPM, Arindam Chaudhari and Malay Chaudhari constitute a criminal offence of cheating punishable under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code. To comply with the Court decision the UGC has lodged FIR against IIPM in the Police Station.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has informed that the details and lists of institutes which do not have AICTE approval are compiled based on complaints and advertisement in the national dailies and to safeguard the interest of students. Such list is available at AICTE web portal at http://www.aicte-india.org/misapproved institutions.php. Any institution offering technical programme without approval of the Council is termed unapproved if it is started without approval of the Council, it is working in temporary location/at location not approved by the Council and, declared as unapproved by the Council. As per the AICTE (Grant of Approvals for Technical Institutions) Regulations, 2012, an Approval Process Handbook has been published to ensure availability of qualified faculty and basic infrastructure. In case of violation of norms the institutions are liable for punitive action as laid down in the Approval Process Handbook.
The AICTE initiates the following action against Fraudulent/ unapproved institutions:
i) Send the list of unapproved / unregulated technical institutions to Principal Secretary/ Director, Technical Education/ concerned State authorities for taking appropriate action against such societies/ individuals/ companies/ trust etc. which are offering courses programmes without obtaining statutory approval of AICTE.
ii) Issue Public notices in newspapers cautioning the students not to take admission in such unapproved institutions for the benefit of Stakeholders.
iii)Update the list of such fake institutions on AICTE website.
iv) Issue Notices to unapproved institutions available on record of AICTE to close down the programmes or to approach AICTE for seeking approval. The copy of notices is also endorsed to concerned state authorities for information and necessary action.
(d) No, Madam. No separate legislation is being contemplated in respect of checking operation of such fake universities/institutions. At present all educational institutions are governed by the UGC Act, 1956 and the AICTE Act, 1987 which have laid down procedures for taking action. This information is available on the website of the UGC and the AICTE.
