NEW DELHI: With the JPC deciding to defer the report on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan bill, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose said the opposition forced the govt to put a hold on the controversial legislation that would destroy the education sector.Ghose said, “The shelving of the bill is a big win for the opposition. Trinamool Congress pushed back against the VBSA bill which is anti-student and anti-federalism.”TMC sources said the bill exceeds the constitutional parameters while making higher education the preserve of the rich. “It attacks federalism, creates a massive centralized structure and rule by New Delhi. It destroys academic freedom and constitutes a narrow interpretation of Bharatiya Knowledge Systems based on only one religion.”A senior TMC leader claimed the govt intends to demolish the UGC, in the absence of which the universities will take loans and repayment of the loans will lead to hiking of fees. “How will poor students afford education,” she asked.The bill was strongly opposed by Congress, DMK, Shiv Sena while, it is reported, govt ally TDP too had reservations over it.
