Sri Vijaya Purm, July 19: Rakeshwar Lall, State President, Hindu Rashtra Shakti, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, raising objections and suggestions regarding the draft Andaman and Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026, and seeking its reconsideration before finalisation.
In the representation, he questioned the necessity of introducing a private university in the Islands, stating that no demand assessment, feasibility study, student projection or academic needs analysis has been placed in the public domain to justify such a move. He further stated that there is no publicly known proposal from any reputed educational institution, charitable trust or university group to establish a private university in the Union Territory.
The representation highlighted that the long-standing public demand in the Islands has been for the establishment of a Central University, which, according to him, would ensure greater financial support from the Government of India, nationally recognised academic standards, affordable education, transparency and long-term institutional stability. It expressed concern that the proposed private university framework could weaken the demand for a Central University.
The memorandum also raised apprehensions regarding the timing of the draft Regulation following the operationalisation of the deemed-to-be university, the possibility of existing government colleges being converted into constituent colleges of a private university, the use of public land and infrastructure through lease or other arrangements, and the possibility of an Administration-controlled society functioning as a private sponsoring body.
The representation further objected to the composition of the proposed Expert Committee, stating that it is predominantly officer-driven and lacks representation from the University Grants Commission (UGC), independent educationists, teachers, students, former Vice-Chancellors and elected representatives.
It also sought safeguards against the transfer or conversion of government colleges, government assets and public infrastructure to any private university without statutory approval, public consultation and approval of the Government of India. The memorandum further requested protection of the service conditions of government employees and the academic interests of existing students.
The representation urged the Administration to place the complete policy justification, feasibility study and other relevant documents in the public domain, conduct public consultations across all three districts, clarify the relationship between the proposed Regulation and the existing deemed-to-be university, and revive efforts for establishing a Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The representation concluded by requesting the Administration to keep the draft Andaman and Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026 in abeyance until the issues raised are adequately addressed.
