Maharashtra Assembly passes bill on illegal institutions, courses

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today passed a bill providing for prohibition of establishment of unauthorised institutions and introduction of unauthorised courses in agriculture, health, sciences, higher and technical and vocational education and animal and fishery sciences.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope tabled the Bill that enables the state government to initiate action against an institute or person for establishing or introducing unauthorised institutes or courses in Maharashtra.

Introducing such courses without the approval of All India Council for Technical (AICTE) will invite fine between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh and maximum prison term of one year, the minister said.

Tope asked parents to bring to the government's notice cases against institutes or unapproved courses, as the bill says that such complainants should be raised before the government official, not below the rank of deputy director.