BHOPAL: All students, even from general category, belonging to economically weaker section, will get free textbooks in colleges from this academic session, said higher education minister Jitu Patwari. Talking to media on Saturday, higher education minister said that instructions have been given to provide free textbooks to all poor students be it from general category or reserved. He said that government will ensure that students do not get fleeced from online kiosk centres and have fixed Rs 50 as fees for admission in colleges through MPOnline vendors. Over 5.30 lakh students are expected to take admissions in colleges across the state.
Patwari announced that RTI (Right to Information) stamp fees will not be charged from students seeking information from the higher education department. This will strengthen the department’s working, he added. He clarified that old schemes of the department will continue. Higher education minister said that infrastructure of colleges will be improved. Process for recruitment of about 2,500 faculty members will be done within three months. Replying to a question, minister said that he is in favour of election of students’ union in colleges. Department is considering pros and cons of the proposal.
PSC selected profs
When asked about PSC selected professors who have not been given appointment letters, he replied that the matter is subjudice. Despite that efforts are on to find amicable solution. Higher education department had a meeting with them in presence of their legal experts but no solution could be worked out. Efforts are on, he added. Lok Adalats will be held in universities and big colleges to solve problems of students, said Patwari.
Knowledge Commission, Skill Devpt Univ & Colleges of Excellence
Setting up of Knowledge Commission and Skill Development University is being done to make education job oriented. Things will change once these are set up. Minister also announced that colleges of excellence will be opened at every divisional headquarters in Indore, Ujjain, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Sagar, Gwalior, Jhabua, Khargone and Rewa.
