Sri Vijaya Puram, July 24: Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to keep the proposed Andaman and Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026, in abeyance and instead pursue the establishment of a Central University, stating that it reflects the long-standing educational aspirations of the Islands.
In a representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor on July 21, Ray expressed objections to the proposed regulation and endorsed the concerns raised by Hindu Rashtra Shakti (HRS), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in its representation dated July 18.
The MP stated that residents of the Islands have consistently demanded a Central University to provide quality, affordable and publicly funded higher education. He said there has been no public demand or demonstrated need for establishing a private university in the Union Territory.
Questioning the basis of the proposal, Ray stated that no demand assessment, feasibility study, financial viability report or policy paper had been placed in the public domain to justify the proposed regulation. He also questioned whether any reputed private educational institution had approached the Administration with a proposal to establish a university in the Islands.
The representation also raised concerns over certain provisions in the draft regulation. Ray stated that these provisions could create apprehensions that existing government colleges, educational infrastructure and public assets may, in future, be brought under a private university framework. He clarified that he was not alleging any predetermined intention but said such concerns required explicit safeguards and categorical clarification from the Administration.
The MP further observed that the proposed institutional framework appeared to be officer-centric and lacked adequate representation of independent educationists, the University Grants Commission, teachers, students and elected representatives.
Making the case for a Central University, Ray said such an institution would ensure assured Central funding, affordable education, improved faculty recruitment, expanded research opportunities and specialised academic programmes relevant to the Islands. He identified marine sciences, fisheries, biodiversity, disaster management, tribal studies, island ecology and strategic studies as areas requiring focused higher education and research.
Ray requested the Administration to place all policy documents, feasibility studies and other details related to the proposal in the public domain and conduct a transparent public consultation before taking a final decision.
He also sought explicit safeguards to ensure that existing government colleges, students, employees, government land and public infrastructure are not transferred, integrated or brought under any private university arrangement without due approval and public consultation.
The MP appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to recommend and actively pursue the establishment of a Central University with the Government of India. Copies of the representation were also forwarded to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Education Minister, Chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for information and appropriate action.
