Cabinet approves amendments to Nalanda University Amendment Bill

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 suggested by Parliament`s Standing Committee on External Affairs and accepted by the Government. The Bill deals with the twin issues of autonomy and governance. It seeks to further refine some of the provisions of the Nalanda University Act, 2010 (39 of 2010) to create an even better governance structure for the University than exists presently, and help speed up the project. The following are the salient amendments proposed by the Standing Committee and accepted by the Government: i. In respect of the University, inclusion of the words "non-state, non-profit, self-governing international institution having academic freedom for attainment of these objectives" in the Preamble;ii. Also, a mention of the inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Nalanda University that came into force on October 10, 2013 and the provision that any other State that subscribes to the object and purpose of the establishment of the University to become signatory to the MoU; iii. Vice-Chancellor shall also perform the role of Member-Secretary of the Governing Board; iv. The Nalanda Mentor Group will continue as Governing Board till members referred to in clauses (c) to (h) of sub-section (1) of section 7 are nominated; v. The Headquarters Agreement specifying privileges and immunities of the academic staff will be made applicable from the date of signing of such Agreement; and vi. Instead of five members from the participating countries of the East Asia Summit, the Governing Board will have seven members, one each nominated by seven participating and non-participating countries of the East Asia Summit. The Government of India has approved an expenditure of Rs. 2727.10 crore for the period 2010-11 to 2021-22 in order to meet the University`s budgetary requirements during its establishment phase. A number of participating countries, such as China, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Australia, and Japan have either made or offered voluntary contributions. The provisions of the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the amendments suggested by the Standing Committee do not involve any additional expenditure. The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of India and to centres established within or outside India. The University is an international institution of national importance. Background The Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013, designed to further streamline the governance structure of the University and provide it the financial support required for the establishment of a world class institution of high learning, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013. The Parliament`s Standing Committee on External Affairs scrutinised the Bill and presented its Report to both the Houses on 17thDecember, 2013.