New Delhi: Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Arjun Singh has said that the state governments have agreed to take immediate action against fake universities and dubious institutions under the Indian Penal Court (IPC).

Arjun Singh said this while addressing the press on the conclusion of two-day conference of Ministers of State Governments of Higher & Technical Education here today.

He also briefed the press about the consensus that emerged at the end of the deliberations in the two-day conference.

The Minister had convened a meeting of Higher and Technical Education Ministers of State Governments at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on the 23rd and 24th July, 2008.

Chief Minister of Goa, and Uttarakhand, Lt. Gov. of Anadaman & Nicobar Islands, Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council, 25 State Technical / Higher Education Ministers and 29 State Technical/Higher Education Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries/ Commissioners participated in the conference.

The Conference had been convened by the HRD Ministry in the backdrop of an over 9 times increase in the XI Central Five Year Plan allocation for Higher and Technical education, compared to the allocation for Education in the X Five Year Plan.

The discussions during the conference revolved around the new initiatives proposed to be undertaken in Higher and Technical Education during the XI Plan, the rationale and strategy for educational reforms and the role of states in Higher and Technical Education in the implementation of new initiatives and reforms.

On the first day of the conference, the Secretary (Higher Education), MHRD made a presentation highlighting new initiatives and reforms proposed to be taken up in XI Plan in Higher and Technical Education.

Mr. Sukadeo Thorat, Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC) and Mr. R.A. Yadav, Chairman All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) made a presentation on Reforms and Initiatives made by UGC & AICTE in Higher and Technical Education.

In addition, UGC appointed Pay Review Committee headed by Prof. G.K. Chaddha, Prof. M.M. Sharma Chairman of the Empowered Committee on strengthening basic research in Universities and Prof. Yashpal, Ex-Chairman of the UGC and Chairman of the MHRD appointed Committee on restructuring the UGC and AICTE, made presentations on the work done by their committees followed by discussions.

During the XI Plan, it has been proposed to set up several new institutions including 8 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 7 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), 10 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), 16 Central Universities in hitherto uncovered States, 14 Central Universities aiming at world class standards, three Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERS) and two Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs).

In addition, it has been decided to extend central assistance to the states for establishing 373 new degree colleges in Districts with a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) less than the national average and provide assistance to set up 600 polytechnics including about 300 through PPP mode.

It is also proposed to launch a National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT) which inter-alia provides broadband connectivity to all the institutions of higher and technical education, in the country.

It is also proposed to incentivise the state governments for starting new institutions of higher and technical education apart from expansion and development of the existing institutions.

The UGC is planning to give one time assistance for development of the State Universities and colleges not presently covered under Section 12 B of the UGC Act on equal sharing basis with State Governments so that they become eligible for UGC grant under 12 B of the UGC Act.

In the case of private aided institutions, 20 percent contribution has been stipulated for the private trusts/societies with this being 10 percent in rural areas and 5 percent in tribal areas.

"Implementation of these new initiatives would need active support and participation by the state governments for them to be successful. The states will also have to considerably raise their spending on education if the target of public expenditure on education reaching 6 percent of GDP has to be achieved", Arjun Singh said.